India, UN Discuss Peacekeeping, AI, Climate Change and Sustainable Development
New Delhi — India and the United Nations held talks Thursday on cooperation in peacekeeping, climate change, disaster risk reduction, artificial intelligence and efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.
The discussions took place during a meeting between Sibi George, Secretary (West) in India’s Ministry of External Affairs, and U.N. Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed.
“Secretary (West) Sibi George met Deputy Secretary General of UN, Ms. Amina J Mohammed, and held wide ranging discussions on India-United Nations cooperation and collaboration to achieve SDG goals, manage the transformational impact of AI, peacekeeping operations, climate change, disaster risk reduction and reform of the UN,” MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said on X.
Mohammed arrived in New Delhi on Wednesday for a three-day official visit.
Ahead of her arrival, U.N. spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said she would meet senior Indian government officials to discuss cooperation between India and the United Nations and India’s role in advancing sustainable development goals.
Mohammed is also scheduled to meet students at the Indian Institute of Technology to discuss opportunities and challenges associated with using digital innovation to support the SDGs.
The meeting comes as India continues to push for reforms to global institutions and a greater role for developing countries in international decision-making.
Earlier this month, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met permanent representatives to the United Nations from 17 countries who were visiting India on a study tour.
“As the global order transforms, reformed multilateralism reflecting the aspirations of the Global South is the need of the hour,” Jaishankar said at the time.
He said the discussions also covered technology, maritime safety, peacekeeping, development partnerships and disaster response.
In July, Jaishankar launched India’s campaign for a non-permanent seat on the U.N. Security Council for the 2028-29 term in New York.
He said India would seek to promote a “secure, peaceful and equitable world” in which the Global South has a stronger voice and multilateral institutions better reflect contemporary global realities.
Jaishankar said India’s approach would be based on what he described as SHANTI — Securing Holistic Advancement through Norms, Trust and Integrity — with a focus on strengthening the role of developing countries in international peace and security. (Source: IANS)
