Owing the world

What surprises me even more is that we contribute a massive US80 million per year for a large number of welfare schemes run by the UN. If we were to divert even half of this amount to the UN8217;s regular budget, the world would immediately start giving us our due respect. In any case, India8217;s participation in peacekeeping operations in many parts of the world and our huge population living in poverty together ensure that our country is ultimately a net beneficiary of UN8217;s budget. We receive some US200 million a year from the UN under the World Food Program and for our participation in peacekeeping missions alone. In view of the financial and political interests at stake, I wonder why India has not voluntarily raised its obligatory contribution and at least matched China or Japan.

Embroiled in embargo

For the last 17 years, the UN General Assembly has deliberated over the 46-year-old economic sanctions imposed on Cuba. The premier body has repeatedly called upon all its member states to pay heed to the UN charter and international law, while rejecting laws or regulations with 8216;extra-territorial impact8217;. In simple terms, it has voiced its dissent over the coercive measures that impinge on the sovereignty of the South American nation. As it turns out, UN General Assembly8217;s calls remain unheeded, its resolutions remain unimplemented, and Cuba continues to suffer under the embargo.

During my UN stint, I was able to unravel these effects of the Cuban embargo. The US has passed certain domestic laws which have enhanced the extra-territorial impact of the embargo. As a result, the Cuban economy has been hit badly. There has been considerable deterioration in the standard of living. Healthcare is particularly affected due to access controls on critical medical equipment and medicines. UN officials in Havana have noted that the embargo has had a negative impact on the society, economy and environment in Cuba. Further, it has restricted movement of UN8217;s own staff and thus severely affected UN8217;s programs in Cuba.

India has always respected the sovereignty of every nation and strongly opposed unilateral measures by any country that encroach upon the sovereignty of another, including attempts to extend the applications of its domestic laws extra-territorially to another sovereign state. During the recent general assembly session, I reiterated India8217;s stand and vehemently denounced the unilateral encroachment of Cuba8217;s sovereignty. Fortunately, it appears that calls to lift the sanctions have started coming from within the US. The US is a principal beneficiary of imports from Cuba and US businesses see substantial trade and investment opportunities in Cuba. Efforts by the US business community for access to the Cuban market have started yielding productive results.

Thank you for not smoking

The anti-smoking campaign of India8217;s health minister has made its presence felt even at the UN. After many years of persistent effort, it recently passed a resolution banning smoking in its premises. Russia alone opposed the ban tooth and nail, while several other countries, including India, supported it. It is currently operational only in the New York headquarters, while other offices are exempt. When I spoke to Russia8217;s permanent representative, he told me that he had no option, since Russia8217;s foreign minister is a chain smoker.

The writer is a Congress MP in Rajya Sabha