Prime Minister Manmohan Singh called on Saturday for a “cooperative rather than a confrontationist approach” in the world and underlined that societies “cannot be reordered from outside through military force”, drawing attention in general to India’s approach, abilities and actions which, in its eyes, make it a suitable candidate for permanent membership in an expanded UN Security Council.
In a reflective, broad-sweep address to the 66th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Dr Singh noted that the traditional engines of the global economy, such as the US, Europe and Japan, were faced with continued economic slowdown, and added, “A fast growing India can expand the boundaries for the global economy. A democratic, plural and secular India can contribute to tolerance and peaceful co-existence among nations.”
He spoke of India’s “steadfast” support to the struggle of the Palestinian people for a “sovereign, independent, viable and united state of Palestine with East Jerusalem as its capital”.
In spite of India’s strong relations with the US, the PM noted in an easily recognisable reference to the situation in West Asia, “Actions taken under the authority of the United Nations must respect the unity, territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of individual states.” Correspondingly, governments were duty-bound to their citizens to create conditions that freely determine their pathways to development, Dr Singh said.
The Prime Minister underlined internationalism and multilateralism and spoke of the observance of the rule of law being as important in international affairs as within countries.
“The international community has a role to play in assisting in the process of transition and institution building, but the idea that prescriptions have to be imposed from outside is fraught with danger,” he said.