India takes over United Nations Security Council premiership for August

While the Asian country on Sunday assumed the presidency of the UNSC for August, taking over from France.

“India has just assumed the presidency of the UN Security Council on August 1. India and France enjoy historical and close relations. I thank France for all the support they’ve given us during our stint in the Security Council,” T S Tirumurti, India’s ambassador to the UN, said in a video message.

“The Security Council will have on its agenda several important meetings, including on Syria, Iraq, Somalia, Yemen, and the Middle East. The council will also be adopting important resolutions on Somalia, Mali, and the UN Interim Force in Lebanon,” he added.

According to officials, India will organise three high-level meetings focusing on priority areas such as maritime security, peacekeeping, and counterterrorism initiatives.

The country’s last term as a non-permanent UNSC member was in 2011-12, which was preceded by stints in 1991-92, 1984-85, 1977-78, 1972-73, 1967-68, and 1950-51.