India backs Guterres for second term as UN chief

The UN has expressed solidarity with the government and the people of India in their efforts against the recent wave of Covid-19 pandemic. In a  statement issued by the Permanent Mission of India to the UN in New York said, while appreciating the efforts of the Secretary General to facilitate ‘Vaccines for All’, the statement said that India reiterated the need for ‘resilient supply chains. During a meeting at the United Nations, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met with Secretary-General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, on Tuesday.Jaishankar and Guterres discussed how to tackle the second and more virulent wave of Covid-19, the need to ensure vaccine access for all, climate change, security issues, peacekeeping operations, terrorism and also the situation in Afghanistan.

A warm & comprehensive meeting with UN Secretary General @antonioguterres.

Discussed the Covid challenge,underlining the importance of finding urgent&effective global vaccine solutions.Critical to ramp up the vaccine supply chain to ensure greater production&fairer distribution pic.twitter.com/fDAwTyNCRt

— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) May 25, 2021

The statement further said, “The Secretary General conveyed his appreciation for the consistent role played by Indian peacekeepers in support of international peace and security. Their response in aiding the people of Goma in the Democratic Republic of Congo following the volcanic eruption was recognised.” Moreover, India has backed Secretary General Guterres’ candidature for a second term in office. Guterres has already secured the support of all five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council and of the non-aligned movement, leading some observers to believe that his re-election is almost a certainty.