1.12. India and the United Nations

♤ Founding Member: Since 1945

♤ Peacekeeping: Historically largest troop contributor. 43 mission participations. Currently third largest contributor

♤ Decolonisation: India was the co-sponsor of the landmark 1960 Declaration on UN on Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples. India was also elected the first chair of the Decolonization Committee (Committee of 24) where its ceaseless efforts to put an end to colonialism are well on record.

♤ Apartheid: Key role against the regime In South Africa: In fact, India was the first country to raise the issue in the UN (in 1946) and played a leading role in the formation of a Sub- Committee against Apartheid set up by the General Assembly. When the Convention on Elimination of all forms of Racial Discrimination was adopted in 1965, India was among the earliest signatories.

♤ Terrorism: With the objective of providing a comprehensible legal framework to counter terrorism India took the initiative to pilot a draft Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT) in 1996 and continues to work for its early adoption

♤ Financial Contribution: With 0.7 percent of UN budge, India’s contribution is 24th largest.

♤ India’s status as a founding member of the Non-Aligned Movement and the Group of 77 cemented its position within the UN system as a leading advocate of the concerns and aspirations of developing countries and the creation of a more equitable international economic and political order.