Krishna links security with development in UNSC

Betwa Sharma

United Nations, Feb 11 (PTI) External Affairs MinisterS M Krishna today said that there is a link between enhancingeconomic development and goals of international peace andsecurity.

"Our efforts should therefore focus on promotingdevelopment for all by encouraging economic activityand enhancing their livelihood security," Krishna told theSecurity Council.

Krishna was attending a high-level meeting onthe linkages between international security and development inthe Security Council, hosted by Brazil, which holds thepresidency of the Council for February, and chaired byBrazilian Foreign Minister Antonio Patriota.

Krishna, who is here to push forward theSecurity Council reform agenda, was speaking at the Councilfor the first time since India became non-permanent members,last month, for a two year term.

Noting that India returns to the SecurityCouncil after 19 years, Krishna said, "these years have beentransformational for India."

The minister pointed out that security depended oneconomic development and the other way around.

"Our collective experience, in dealing with theseconflicts shows that without peace, development suffers,"Krishna said.

"At the same time, lack of development and ofprospects for economic progress create fertile ground forviolence and instability, which further sets backdevelopment," he added.

Krishna further pointed out that "inclusivity"and "tolerance" were two key ingredients in pushing the reformagenda forward.

The lessons of inclusivity can also be appliedto international efforts in maintenance of international peaceand security," the minister said.

The minister noted that the process ofimplementing a peace agreement should also be "inclusive".

Such implementation, he elaborated, shouldinclude provision of humanitarian and emergency assistance,resumption of activity, and the creation of political andadministrative institutions that improve governance andinclude all stakeholders, particularly the weak and theunderprivileged.

Krishna also emphasised that the internationalcommunity needs to ensure a predictable and enhanced flow ofresources. The minister highlighted that the peacekeepingbudget of the UN, which is about USD 8 billion annually, ismore than the combined budgets of UNDP and UNICEF.

"It is obvious that development expendituresneed to be enhanced greatly if they are to make a dent onsecurity problems," he said.