‘Leave it to BCCI’: S Jaishankar’s witty response at UN Security Council permanent seat revives Raisina dialogue | WATCH
Responding to an Australian dignitary’s suggestion of an “ICC Test Ranking solution” to the issue, S Jaishankar said, “Leave it to BCCI”, leaving everyone at the Raisina Dialogue 2024 divided.
Raisina Dialogue 2024: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar was quick to respond when asked about India’s permanent membership in the United Nations Security Council during the ongoing Raisina Dialogue 2024 in the national capital.
Responding to an Australian dignitary’s suggestion to resolve this issue with an “ICC Test ranking”, Jaishankar said, “Leave it to BCCI”, leaving everyone at the event divided.
External Affairs Minister Jaishankar’s witty take on UN Security Council membership: “Leave it to BCCI” 😂😂pic.twitter.com/cEljdgbTyL
— HAL 9000 (@tamilhollywood2) February 23, 2024
‘Leave it to BCCI’
During a session at the conference, Michael Fullilove, executive director of Australia’s Lowy Institute, joked that UN Security Council membership could be based on the ICC Test rankings.
“I had a new idea in this panel during the interesting conversation about UN security reform. I’m glad to hear that there has been some progress on the margins. But sometimes in these difficult diplomatic negotiations you just need an out-of-the-box idea. So my out-of-the-box idea is that we can base Security Council membership on the ICC test rankings,” the Australian diplomat said sarcastically.
“And this would be great for India, it would be great for Australia. And it would boost the growth of cricket in other parts of the world. So, would you like to support me in this, Minister?” he then asked Jaishankar during a session at the Raisina Dialogue 2024 here in Delhi.
In response, Jaishankar said, “Yes, I think this is called the core of a good idea. But I think the better solution would be to leave it to BCCI.”
The ninth edition of Raisina Dialogue, India’s flagship conference on geopolitics and geoeconomics, organized by the Ministry of External Affairs in association with the Observer Research Foundation, began here on Wednesday.
India’s bid for a permanent seat on the UN Security Council
India has long sought a permanent seat on the Security Council to better represent the interests of developing countries. The country’s quest has gained momentum thanks to the support of influential figures like Dennis Francis, chairman of the UNGA, who believes in India’s ability to make a positive contribution to global peace and security.
United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) President Dennis Francis, who was on a visit to India in January this year, said: “India is a mature, highly respected member of the United Nations. It is a leader in many ways. And I am sure that this fact is not lost on the members of the General Assembly.”
“So I wish the Government and people of India every success in their quest to become members of the Council on a permanent basis. Whether that happens or not is a matter for the members to determine,” he said.
India has been a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for eight terms (sixteen years). India is a member of the G4, a group of countries that support each other in their quest for permanent membership of the UN Security Council. The countries are calling for reforms in the UN Security Council.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his visit to France in July 2023, made a strong plea for India’s permanent membership in the UN Security Council, saying the premier UN body cannot claim to speak for the world when the most populous country and the largest democracy has no permanent member.
(With ANI inputs)