Another first: PM Modi to preside over UNSC Open Debate
New Delhi:
Here's another first coming in the way for Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The Prime Minister will chair the UN Security Council High-level Open Debate on ‘Enhancing Maritime Security – A Case for International Cooperation’ on Monday, August 9 via video conferencing.
Mr Modi would be the first Indian Prime Minister to preside over a UN Security Council Open Debate.
The meeting is expected to be attended by several Heads of State & Government of member states of the United Nations Security Council, and high level briefers from the UN System and key Regional Organizations, an official release said.
Officials in Moscow said, Russian President Vladimir Putin will take part in the meeting among others.
The Open Debate will focus on ways to effectively counter maritime crime and insecurity and
strengthen coordination in the maritime domain.
"The UN Security Council has discussed and passed resolutions on different aspects of maritime
security and maritime crime. However, this will be the first time that maritime security will be discussed
in a holistic manner as an exclusive agenda item in such a high level open debate,"
the release said.
Given that no country alone can address the diverse aspects of maritime security, it is important
to consider this subject in a holistic manner in the United Nations Security Council.
A comprehensive approach to Maritime Security should protect and support legitimate maritime activities,
while countering traditional and non-traditional threats in the maritime domain, the release said.
The Oceans have played an important part in India’s history right from the time of the Indus Valley
Civilization.
"Based on our civilizational ethos that sees the seas as an enabler of shared peace and prosperity,
Prime Minister Narendra Modi put forward the vision of SAGAR - an acronym for ‘Security and Growth for
all in the Region’ in 2015," the release said adding, this vision focuses on cooperative measures for
sustainable use of the oceans, and provides a framework for a safe, secure, and stable maritime
domain in the region.
In 2019, at the East Asia Summit, this initiative was further elaborated through the Indo-Pacific Oceans’
Initiative (IPOI) with a focus on seven pillars of maritime security including Maritime Ecology; Maritime Resources;
Capacity Building and Resource Sharing; Disaster Risk Reduction and Management; Science,
Technology and Academic Cooperation; and Trade Connectivity and Maritime Transport.
The event will be broadcast live on the United Nations Security Council website around 1730 hours (IST) on Monday.
ends
Bankrupt Pakistan to rent PM House for fashion shows & cultural extravaganza
It is not without good reason that Pakistan watchers say the country's economy has been faltering on all economic parameters. Governance is not about the 'glory' of rulers, in Pakistan it is giving those in power real tough times.
Cash-starved federal cabinet of Pakistan led by Prime Minister Imran Khan has decided to allow the PM's official residence on rent for fashion shows, cultural and educational events to garner some quick money.
It has been reported that the cabinet also ordered the setting up of two committees to ensure that the “decorum" and “discipline" of the PM House are well maintained while allowing/organising such events.
In 2019, Pak Prime Minister and the iconic cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan had vacated the Prime Minister House and shifted to another residence at Bani Gala.
The cost to maintain the Prime Minister’s house was Rs 470 million in Pakistan currency annually.
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government has also announced earlier that the PM House could be turned into a university or a premier educational institute.
Of course, these decisions were taken to scale down the official expenditures
in view of a severe financial crunch.
It was also decided that Governors in various provinces will no longer reside in spacious Governor Houses.
The Pakistan government has also auctioned about 60 luxury cars raising about Rs 200 million and there are plans to auction over 100 surplus cars, including bullet proof ones and at least four helicopters.
Amid such challenging financial conditions, Pakistan is also facing the threats of tougher actions from the anti-terror financing and money laundering body FATF.
It is like paying a price for its lopsided policy focus on Kashmir and issues like 'exporting' terrorism to India and Afghanistan, some observers say in India.
 |
| Obsession about 'Hate-India' |
An adverse step by the FATF will now obviously make it more difficult for Islamabad to get financial aid from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Bank, Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the European Union (EU).
Reports from various quarters have also said that as it is Pakistan is faced with tough times reeling under 46 per cent debt issues with World Bank, 25 per cent from Asian Development Bank and 24 per cent from China.
Reportedly Saudi Arabia has also asked Pakistan to repay a three billion dollar soft loan.
All these have only added to its economic crisis for Pakistan which is already struggling to control or deal with.
According to reports in the month of June, the Pakistan government reportedly owes about $158.9 billion to domestic creditors, of which public sector enterprises owe about $15.1 billion.
A virtual bankrupt Pakistan's debt problems seem to be only escalating as it's all weather-guide and ally China has declined to restructure $3 billion in liabilities.
Things have only worsened further since Covid in mid 2020.
Disruption in raw material supplies in textiles and manufacturing sectors from China resulted in increase in prices.
The Textiles sector that makes almost 60 percent of Pakistan’s total exports, depended on China for 70 percent of their input requirements, but overnight, the cost of importing from China surged.
Since Pakistan is having no trade with India, the only alternative sources left were South Korea and Taiwan and this move also contributed in escalating the expenditures and cost prices.
ends
Pakistan ‘deeply regrets’ UNSC snub, Afghanistan flays its neighbour
New Delhi:
Pakistan got a royal snub at the global stage when it was not invited by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for a vital discussion on Afghanistan.
Pakistan had formally requested the UNSC chair – currently held by India’s permanent representative TS Tirumurti – to allow it to participate in the session in order to present its perspective on the Afghan situation.
But the UNSC president did not accept the request, said media reports in Islamabad.
In a statement, the Pakistan Foreign Office (FO) has said, "Pakistan's request to the President of the Security Council (UNSC) to address the council's session and present its perspective on the Afghan peace process and the way forward was not acceded to."
"On the other hand, the UNSC (council's) platform was made available to enable the peddling of a false narrative against Pakistan," it said.
The powerful 15-nation UNSC, currently under India's Presidency for the month of August, held a meeting on the situation in Afghanistan on Friday, August 6.
It was double attack and embarrassment for Pakistan as Afghanistan's Permanent Representative to the UN, Ghulam Isaczai, launched a scathing attack on Islamabad, saying it was providing safe haven and logistical support to the Taliban.
"Pakistan categorically rejects these accusations. Pakistan's position on the issue has been shared with Security Council members,” the Pak government statement said.
Meanwhile, a delegation of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) visited the Line of Control and was briefed about the prevailing situation in the volatile region.
"There needs to be zero tolerance for terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. It is equally important to ensure that Afghanistan is not used by terrorist groups to threaten or attack any other country," the Indian envoy at UN, T S Tirumurti said.
Tension prevails in Afghanistan as Taliban continues to indulge in violence and take control of those areas.
Amid global concerns, Pakistan's role has come in question for quite sometime now.
The Afghanistan government has repeatedly flayed Pakistan for its questionable role in supporting the Taliban forces.
Afghanistan has eloquently alleged that it is Pakistan which is standing as a principal
supporting force 'behind' the Taliban.
"We think, yes, it is the Taliban doing the work ...but it is a proxy war. Taliban may be the army...but the brains of management (are in Pakistan)," Afghanistan's National Security Advisor Hamdullah Mohib told BBC last month.
ends
 |
| Blogger |
No comments:
Post a Comment