She’s a straight talker. She makes certain India places her greatest foot ahead on the world stage. The nation’s first lady everlasting consultant to the United Nations, Ruchira Kamboj, is all the time hitting headlines for the precise causes.
We are able to anticipate to listen to much more from her in December as India assumes the presidency of the United Nations Safety Council for December. All of this month, Kamboj will set within the President’s seat on the horse-shoe desk. On Thursday, the primary day of India’s presidency, she addressed reporters within the United Nations headquarters on the month-to-month programme of labor.
Not able to be pushed round
When she was requested a query about democracy and press freedom in India, she didn't mince her phrases. “We don’t need to be told what to do on democracy,” the diplomat answered.
“India is maybe probably the most historical civilisation on this planet as all of you understand. In India, democracy had roots going again to 2,500 years, we have been all the time a democracy,” she mentioned as she spoke in regards to the time of the Shakya clan and the Lichchhavi kingdom – each primarily based within the sub-Himalayan area.
“Coming all the way down to very latest occasions, we now have all of the pillars of democracy which are intact – legislature, government, judiciary and the fourth property, the press. And a really vibrant social media. So the nation is the world’s largest democracy,” Kamboj added.
The UN ambassador went on to speak about freedom in India and the way the nation is quickly reworking. “Each 5 years we conduct the world's largest democratic train. Everyone seems to be free to say as they need and please and that's how our nation capabilities. It’s quickly reforming, reworking and altering. And the trajectory has been very spectacular. And I don’t need to say this, you don’t need to hearken to me. Others are saying this,” Kamboj mentioned.
On Thursday, she made it clear that India isn't the nation to be pushed round. India is an enormous nation that “stands tall and proud by itself” with its relations with competing worldwide blocs. She gave out a transparent message when requested in regards to the Russian overseas minister’s assertion that the western army group NATO was pushing New Delhi in direction of an anti-Moscow and anti-Beijing alliance.
“India is an even bigger nation. It stands tall and proud by itself,” the envoy mentioned emphasising the nation’s multi-dimensional, impartial coverage.
“We do have a relationship with Russia, an vital relationship with Russia... And so far as the connection with the US is anxious, it’s a complete strategic partnership, which has by no means been nearer, tighter or stronger than it's right now,” she mentioned.
Taking over China
Nevertheless, this isn't the primary time Kamboj has mentioned issues the best way they're. She has by no means hesitated to take a stand. Since taking up the function in June, she has labored tirelessly to convey issues associated to counter-terrorism into focus. Taking over mighty China has not by no means been an issue.
Final week, forward of the 26/11 anniversary, she mentioned that India’s efforts to sanction perpetrators and facilitators of the 26 November 2008 Mumbai terror assaults have been blocked previously for political causes, an obvious reference to China’s repeated moves to block New Delhi’s attempts to blacklist Pakistan-based terrorists at the UN.
“Our efforts to sanction the perpetrators and facilitators of those terror assaults have been blocked previously for political causes. These actors proceed to stroll free and have been organising additional cross-border assaults in opposition to my nation,” she mentioned, including that terrorism continues to pose a “grave menace” to worldwide peace and safety.
In August, Kamboj took a swipe at China over the UNSC over “double requirements” in combating terrorism. With out naming the neighbouring nation throughout the assembly on worldwide peace and safety she mentioned, “…widespread safety is barely potential when nations respect every others’ sovereignty and territorial integrity, as they'd anticipate their very own sovereignty to be revered.”
The remarks got here in opposition to the backdrop of the military standoff between India and China on the Line of Precise Management (LAC).
Ruchira Kamboj with Exterior Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. Picture Courtesy: @ruchirakamboj/Twitter
Slamming Pakistan
Kamboj has not let Pakistan get away with making ‘frivolous’ and ‘pointless’ statements. At an emergency session of the United Nations Common Meeting in October, she slammed Pakistan, who raised the problem of Kashmir, saying, “Now we have witnessed, unsurprisingly, but once more an try by one delegation to misuse this discussion board and make frivolous and pointless remarks in opposition to my nation.”
She added that such statements deserve “collective contempt and sympathy for a mindset which repeatedly utters falsehood” and confused that Pakistan should cease “cross-border terrorism in order that our residents can take pleasure in their proper to life and liberty”.
Calling for change
Kamboj has pushed for change on the UNSC, urging the worldwide physique to undertake pressing reforms. Reform, carry out and remodel, or face the “actual hazard” of being outmoded by different organisations which are extra consultant, clear and democratic in nature, she mentioned in August.
Addressing members of the UNSC, the ambassador mentioned that the assembly was an opportune second to interact in a critical dialogue about India’s name for reformed multilateralism, on the core of which lies the reform of the Council.
“A very consultant Safety Council is probably the most urgent want of the hour. Else, there's a actual hazard of the United Nations being outmoded by different plurilateral and multilateral groupings that are extra consultant, extra clear and extra democratic and, subsequently, simpler,” she had mentioned.
Even amid the warfare in Ukraine and different geopolitical tensions, the envoy has ensured that India’s issues get the eye they serve.
A grasp of overseas affairs
Earlier than her function on the UN, 58-year-old Kamboj spent a long time coping with overseas affairs.
“I loved the pursuit of, and discussions on worldwide relations, and tremendously regarded ahead to precise apply! I assume I used to be lucky and fairly blessed that this aspiration got here true,” she mentioned in an interview with Fashionable Diplomacy.
This was not the primary time she is representing India on the UN. She served as a counsellor at India’s Everlasting Mission to the UN between 2002 and 2005.
An Indian Overseas Service (IFS) officer of the 1987 batch, she was the Indian ambassador to Bhutan – the primary lady Indian envoy to the Himalayan kingdom. She has additionally served because the Indian Excessive Commissioner to South Africa and the Kingdom of Lesotho between 2017 and 2019 and labored as India’s Consul Common in South Africa from 2006-2009, in keeping with a CNBC TV18 report.
She was posted in Mauritius the place she held the posts of First Secretary (Financial and Industrial) and Head of Chancery on the Indian Excessive Fee between 1996 and 1999. Earlier than that, she labored within the Europe West Division of the Ministry of Exterior Affairs because the Below Secretary for 5 years.
She started her profession in overseas affairs with a deputation in Paris, France after topping the 1987 civil providers and overseas providers batch, the report says. And Kamboj has by no means regarded again since.
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