Statement by India under General Debate, Agenda Item 3 in the 46th Session of the Human Rights Council (22 February – 23 March 2021) delivered by Ms. Seema Pujani, Second Secretary, Permanent Mission of India (Geneva, 09 March 2021)

Madam President,

I thank the High Commissioner for Human Rights and her office for presentation of various reports. The health and socio-economic crisis, in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, has posed unprecedented challenges, including to our goal of global promotion and protection of human rights.

We strongly believe that these challenges can be overcome through concerted global action and cooperation. India has been in forefront of the global action to combat Covid-19 pandemic. As committed in September 2020 by my Prime Minister at United Nations that India’s vaccine production and delivery capacity would be used to make vaccines accessible and affordable to all, I am happy to inform that ‘Made in India’ vaccines have been delivered to 58 countries around the world to date.

Madam President,

We believe that a balanced approach must be followed by the Council in promotion and protection of human rights with equal emphasis on political and civil rights as well as economic, social and cultural rights, including the Right to Development. These are best pursued through dialogue, consultation and cooperation amongst States as well as provision of technical assistance and capacity building.

India remains firmly committed to the progressive realisation of all human rights for our citizens. All developmental initiatives of the Government of India, including our response to the Covid pandemic, have contributed to sustainable development and enjoyment of various human rights by our people.

As a member of the Human Rights Council, we remain committed to working together with fellow members to achieve consensus. Violations of and gaps in implementation of human rights, in our view, should be addressed in a fair and just manner, with objectivity, non-selectivity, transparency and with due respect to the principles of non-interference in internal affairs and national sovereignty.

India supports the view that the Council should adhere to its mandate, established rules of procedure and standard practices. The primary role of promotion and protection of human rights lies with the States, as acknowledged by the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action. The efforts of the Council and its mechanisms should, therefore, supplement and strengthen the national efforts of States.

Thank you, Madam President.

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