Modi wants concrete outcome on UNSC reforms, proposed treaty to counter terrorism at upcoming meet

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday pitched for concrete outcomes to the long-pending issues of UN Security Council reforms and a proposed treaty to counter terrorism at the upcoming session of the world body as he met Mogens Lykketoft, President-elect of UNGA's 70th Session.

Modi, while telling Lykketoft that he was looking forward to participating in the Summit on September 25, emphasised that the 70th Session of UNGA was a crucial moment for the United Nations.

It would be important to ensure that the UN meets the high expectations of the people, he said, according to a PMO statement.

In this regard, he called for securing concrete outcome on the long-pending issue of reform of the UN Security Council and strengthening the legal framework to combat terrorism through early finalization of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT), it added.

India is an aspirant for the permanent membership of the expanded Security Council.

Lykketoft acknowledged that India, as one of the largest democracies in the world and one of the biggest contributors to the UN Peacekeeping Operations, should have a greater role in the decision-making bodies at the UN, the statement said.

Modi reiterated India's commitment to continue supporting the UN peacekeeping operations.

The Prime Minister noted that many of the Sustainable Development Goals, which form the core of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, were already being implemented by India through flagship programmes such as 'Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan', Make in India, Digital India, Skill India, Smart Cities and 'Jan Dhan Yojna', the PMO statement said.

The two leaders exchanged views on issues related to climate change and, in this context, expressed the hope that the COP-21 Conference in Paris would come up with productive outcome to the satisfaction of developing countries.

At the outset, Modi congratulated Lykketoft on his election as the President of the landmark 70th Session of the UN General Assembly which would begin with the UN Summit for the adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Lykketoft briefed Modi on his priorities for the 70th Session of the UN General Assembly.

In this regard, he specifically mentioned his priorities as renewing global partnerships for implementation of SDGs, climate change issues; improving the effectiveness of the UN contributions to international peace and security and improved response to humanitarian situations.