Geopolitics

- Kyiv says fighting rages in Kharkiv region's border areas
- Source says Russia advanced in push to create buffer zone
- President Zelenskiy says Ukraine ready to meet assault
- No immediate comment from Russia

Public Policy Lecture Series, April 16, 2014

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.run/post/58376

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said India, now the most populous country, "needs to regain its rightful place", in a strong push for permanent membership of the country in the UN Security Council.

"The issue is not just of credibility, but something much larger. How can the UN Security Council claim to speak for the world when its most populous country and its largest democracy is not a permanent member?" PM Modi said in an interview with French publication Les Echos.

The UN Security Council epitomised the dissonance of an institution not in step with a changed world order, he said.

"Its skewed membership leads to opaque decision making processes, which adds to its helplessness in addressing the challenges of today. I think most countries are clear on what changes they would like to see in the UN Security Council, including on the role India should play." He added that French President Emmanuel Macron shared the view.

PM Modi spoke to the French media at his official residence in Delhi, before flying today to France, where he will be the guest of honour at the Bastille Day celebrations on Friday.

"As the world's largest democracy, with unparalleled social and economic diversity, our success will demonstrate that democracy delivers. That it is possible for harmony to exist amidst diversity. At the same time, there is a natural expectation of adjustments in the international system and institutions to give the rightful place to the world's largest democracy," he said.

The Prime Minister also emphasised on India's role as a bridge between the Global South and the west.

"The rights of the Global South have been long denied. As a result, there is a feeling of anguish among the members of Global South, that they are forced into undertaking action but when it comes to decision making they don't find a place or voice for themselves. The true spirit of democracy has not been respected vis-a-vis the Global South," he said.

PM Modi also elaborated on his oft-quoted comment to Russian President Vladimir Putin on the Ukraine war, that today is not an era of war.

The conflict must ned, he said, expressing deep concern about its impact on the world, especially the Global South.

"India's stand has been clear, transparent and consistent. I have said that it is not an era of war. We have urged both sides to resolve issues through dialogue and diplomacy. I told them that India is ready to support all genuine efforts that can help bring this conflict to an end. We believe that all countries have an obligation to respect the respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of other countries, to abide by international law and adhere to the UN Charter," he said.

On India's soft power, PM Modi said: "Our exports have never been war and subjugation, but yoga, ayurveda, spirituality, science, mathematics, and Astronomy. We have always been a contributor to global peace and progress."

He also said the world makes progress only when it learns to let go of anachronistic and outdated notions, responding to a question on whether he considered "western values" to be universal or whether other countries should find their own path.

French President Emmanuel Macron will show PM Modi the Louvre Museum and the two may get photographed with its most famous resident—Mona Lisa.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be feted by French President Emmanuel Macron when he lands in Paris on July 13 afternoon to take the India-France ties to a new height. File Photo of Prime Minister Narendra Modi with French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron at Elysee Palace. File Photo of Prime Minister Narendra Modi with French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron at Elysee Palace.

According to inputs from Paris and New Delhi, PM Modi will address a diaspora event at La Seine Musicale, a performing arts centre located on IIe Seguin island in scenic Seine River, in the western suburbs of Paris on the first day. Inaugurated in 2017, La Seine Musicale had hosted American folk-rock singer Bob Dylan in the 6000-seat Grand Seine theatre, where PM Modi will address the Indian diaspora on July 13. The La Siene Musicale is currently hosting the Festival of India called "Namaste France, organized by the Indian Embassy in France and the Ministry of Culture.

This will be followed by PM Modi being hosted by President Macron for a private dinner at his official residence at Elysee Palace. It is during this private dinner that both the leaders will discuss crucial global and bilateral issues and formal delegation level talks will follow after the Bastille Day parade on Champs Elysees in front of the French President on July 14.

A 269 men strong contingent of Indian Army from the Punjab Regiment and Rajputana Rifles will participate in the parade on the ground while one single Indian Air Force Rafale fighter will be the show with three others following in a formation. INS Chennai, an indigenous guided missile destroyer of the Indian Navy, will be stationed at the strategic port of Brest, where the nuclear ballistic missile firing submarines (SSBNs) of the French Navy are stationed. But the grand show will follow after the delegation-level talks in Paris.

President Macron will host PM Modi at Cour Marly courtyard at the world-famous Louvre Museum for a ceremonial dinner expected to be attended by over 250 dignitaries. Filled with natural light and a ficus trees forest, the Cour Marly has an army of statues made by the finest sculptors of the world since the 19th century. It is after the French lay a sumptuous vegetarian spread for PM Modi at the Cour Marly that President Macron will take the Indian leader for a guided tour of the Louvre. Perhaps the two of them may get photographed with Louvre’s most famous and most expensive painting, Leonardo Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa, a masterpiece of the Italian Renaissance.

The two leaders after the tour of the Louvre will attend the dazzling fireworks display over Eiffel Tower from the terrace at Louvre. While the bilateral ties between the two middle-level powers will reach the next stage after PM Modi’s visit, the red-carpet treatment given to the Indian leader will surpass any bilateral visit by an Indian PM in the past by miles.