Statement by India under Agenda Item: 3 General Debate on the Promotion and protection of all human rights, civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights, including the right to development at the 45^th Session of the Human Rights Council (14 September – 6 October 2020), delivered by Mr. Vimarsh Aryan, First Secretary, Permanent Mission of India, [Geneva, 22 September 2020]

Madam President,

India has a long tradition of promoting and protecting human rights which is reflected in the vision of our nation’s founding fathers, who framed our Constitution. It has always been our belief that in a truly diverse society like India, development and genuine welfare of citizens cannot be ensured without adequate focus on promotion and protection of human rights.

2. Government of India, under the leadership of our Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, believes in the mantra of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas: Inclusive development for all and with the trust of all. This is the core principle that inspires the robust socio-economic policies that we have implemented to address complex and inter-related needs of our people.

3. Some of the significant steps include: The world's largest financial inclusion scheme; Free Health Insurance for 500 million persons; construction of over 110 million sanitary units in five years and provision of safe drinking water to every household, providing 150 million homes for the underprivileged over the next 5 years; around 50 million free cooking gas connections for women from rural households in the poorest strata of society. The government has taken further steps to ensure that no one is left behind in these difficult times in particular the most vulnerable, the poor, women, children and migrant workers.

4. We also remain convinced that the core objectives of the Human Rights Council can only be achieved in an atmosphere of mutual respect, cordial dialogue, and genuine cooperation. There is an urgent need to build a consensus-based approach and avoid selectivity in our discussions on human rights issues. It is also important to focus not only on manifestations of human rights abuses and violations but on their causes for a holistic and integrated understanding of the issues at stake.

5. We believe that there is a strong relationship between development, human rights, democracy and international cooperation. International cooperation in tackling some of the worst violations of human rights needs to be further strengthened, including through sharing of best practices, exchange of information and technical and capacity-building assistance.  It, of course, goes without saying that such cooperation needs to be done through a dialogue where the country concerned is fully involved and its priorities are taken into account.

Madam President,

6. We must not ignore the growing concerns at the politicization and polarization in the working of the Council. This needs to be addressed as a matter of priority lest it irreversibly undermines the credibility and relevance of this august body.

Thank You, Madam President.