New Delhi:  India is organising signature events focusing on maritime security, counter-terrorism and peacekeeping operations during its presidency of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), the Ministry of External Affairs said.
India holds the presidency of the UNSC for the month of August. At a media briefing, MEA Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said Prime Minister Narendra Modi will virtually preside over an open debate on maritime security at the UN Security Council (UNSC) on August 9. “As part of our presidency, we are organising signature events on three focus areas that we have chosen: maritime security, peacekeeping operations and counter-terrorism,” he said.
“On August 9, the prime minister will preside over a high-level virtual open debate of the UN Security Council on the topic ‘’Enhancing Maritime Security — A case for International Cooperation under the agenda item Maintenance of International Peace and Security,” he added. Mr Bagchi said it would be the first time that an Indian prime minister would be presiding over a meeting of the UN Security Council. “On the other two focus areas, we are planning physical meetings chaired by the external affairs minister,” he said.

India began its two-year tenure as a non-permanent member of the UNSC on January 1. Amid the Covid-19 pandemic, India upgraded two peacekeeping hospitals in South Sudan and Congo at the request of the UN secretary-general and donated Covid-19 vaccines for peacekeepers.
Jaishankar will also chair a Security Council briefing on counter-terrorism on August 19 to discuss the UN secretary-general’s report on the Islamic State.AGENCIES

PM Modi to preside over UN Security Council meeting : Prime Minister Narendra Modi will preside over a high-level virtual open debate of the UN Security Council on “Enhancing Maritime Security – A case for International Cooperation” under the Agenda Item Maintenance of International Peace and Security on August 9, Ministry of External Affairs said. Briefing reporters at the regular media briefing, MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said this would be the first time that an Indian Prime Minister would be presiding over a meeting of the UN Security Council.
“As you are aware, India is holding the presidency of the UN Security Council for the month of August. As part of our presidency, we are organizing signature events on three focus areas that we have chosen viz. Maritime Security, Peacekeeping Operations and Counter-Terrorism,” he
said.AGENCIES