In a significant address at the High-Level Segment of the 55th Session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva on February 26, 2024, India’s External Affairs Minister, Dr. S Jaishankar, underscored several crucial points pertaining to global humanitarian crises, Indian civilizational thought, and the imperative of multilateralism.
Addressing the escalating conflict in Gaza, Dr. Jaishankar expressed deep concern over the humanitarian crises arising from conflicts, emphasizing the urgent need for a sustainable solution to provide immediate relief to those most affected. While condemning terrorism and hostage-taking unequivocally, he stressed the importance of respecting international humanitarian law to ensure the protection of civilians. Furthermore, Dr. Jaishankar emphasized the importance of preventing the conflict from spreading within or beyond the region, advocating for efforts to focus on achieving a two-state solution where Palestinian people can live within secure borders.
Drawing from Indian civilizational thought, Dr. Jaishankar reiterated the principle of “One Earth, One Family, One Future,” highlighting the interconnectedness of humanity and the imperative of genuine dialogue to address global challenges. He emphasized that recognizing commonalities among nations and acknowledging the impact of individual choices on the collective well-being is crucial for finding lasting solutions to geopolitical challenges. Dr. Jaishankar underscored India’s commitment to working collaboratively within the United Nations and beyond to address global issues effectively.
Moreover, Dr. Jaishankar reaffirmed India’s unwavering commitment to promoting and protecting human rights globally, emphasizing the importance of ensuring their enjoyment by all people. He called for concerted efforts to reform outdated multilateral structures and address systemic flaws to make multilateral frameworks more responsive to current global realities.
