India Spells Out Agenda After Taking Over UN Security Council Presidency

India will again preside over the Council in December next year, the last month of its two-year tenure.

As India assumed the rotating presidency of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), Ambassador of India to the United Nations, TS Tirumurti on Monday said India hopes to keep the spotlight on the Secretary-General's report on the Islamic State (IS) terrorists. In an exclusive interview with ANI, TS Tirumurti said, "We have never failed to highlight the manifestations of terrorist activities across the world, especially now for example in Africa, where it is increasing. So we hope to discuss the Secretary General's report on ISIL (Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant) and Daesh (ISIS) and keep the spotlight on this matter." The rolling presidency means starting today India has the power to decide the agenda for the month of August and during India's presidency in the UNSC India will focus on the themes of maritime security, peacekeeping, and counter-terrorism and preside over three high-level signature events on these issues. "I think maritime security discussion is a first. And, you know, maritime security has always received a very high priority in our foreign policy. We believe that it is time for the Security Council to take a holistic approach to the issue of maritime security, that safeguards common prosperity and other security interest," ambassador TS Tirumurti added.