India assumed the presidency of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC)

Why in news? 

-India took over the rotational presidency of the 15-nation UNSC from France.

-This is India's first UNSC presidency during its 2021-22 tenure as a non-permanent member of the UNSC. India began its two-year tenure as a non-permanent member of the UNSC on January 1, 2021.

-India had last assumed UNSC presidency ten years ago.  

What will be the focus areas of India in UNSC ?

India t will be focusing mainly on maritime security, peacekeeping and counterterrorism during its presidency of the  15-nation UN security body. 

1. Counterterrorism agenda

India, as a country will continue to keep the spotlight on counter-terrorism.

2. Maritime Security 

maritime security has always received a very high priority in India's foreign policy.

UN Security Council to take a holistic approach to the issue of maritime security, that safeguards common prosperity and other security interest.

3. Peacekeeping 

India will mainly focus on ensuring the safety of the peacekeepers by using better technology. It will also focus on how to bring perpetrators of crimes against peacekeepers to justice. 

Significance

The UNSC presidency means India has the power to decide the UNSC agenda for August.

 India will focus on the themes of maritime security, peacekeeping, and counter-terrorism and preside over three high-level signature events on these issues.

This is India's eighth term in the UN Security Council.

It has been seven months since India began its UNSC term. India will again preside over the Council in December 2022, the last month of its two-year tenure.