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International International
The Supreme Court of India has been seized pandemics. India has been actively engaged
with the issue and has ordered that the with the WHO as well as other health-related
implementation of the three Farm Acts be organizations in Geneva, like GAVI.
kept in abeyance, which has been accepted
by the Government. The Supreme Court has As the Chair of the Executive Board of WHO,
constituted a Committee to look into the we have ensured that the necessary guidance is
grievances of farmers. The Government has provided to the WHO. We continue to engage
repeatedly assured farmers that the existing with all the stakeholders in the ongoing process
system of public procurement at minimum of strengthening and reforming WHO. We have
support price and operation of government- presented a detailed memoir to the Independent
regulated agricultural markets will continue. Panel on Pandemic Preparedness and Response
and shared our experiences with them.
The Government has reiterated its
commitment to engage the organizations, India has a permanent seat at the Governing
representing farmers in dialogue and suspend Board of ILO and our priority has been
the implementation of the three Farm Acts to make the ILO Supervisory structures
following the orders of the Supreme Court. and processes more transparent, fair and
The two Houses of Parliament have been democratic. India is also the current Chair of
seized of the matter and have been engaged in the Governing Body of ILO, which has placed
debate over the issues raised by the farmers. us in a position to steer the ongoing process
to achieve these objectives in coordination
Beyond the Human Rights Council, what are with other stakeholders. We believe that ILO
the priorities for India in the international should play an important role in providing
organizations in Geneva? technical guidance and necessary support
The Covid-19 pandemic has exposed the during the post-pandemic phase of socio-
global unpreparedness to handle pandemics economic recovery and rebuilding.
of this scale and nature. Health Diplomacy
has come to occupy an important role in India and ITU maintain excellent bilateral
multilateral diplomacy. We believe that the multilateral cooperation. India has been a
World Health Organization (WHO), which member of ITU since its inception and is
has been making significant contribution in currently serving as an elected member of ITU’s
international cooperation in the health sector, Governing Council during the 2019-2022 term.
including technical assistance and capacity As a specialized agency of the UN, ITU sets the
building, must be reformed, strengthened and regulatory framework for telecom and other
better equipped and financed to assist Member relevant technologies. India has been actively
States in dealing with health emergencies like participating in the discussions in expert
w w w . d i v a i n t e r n a t i o n a l . c h w w w. d i va i n t e r n at i o n a l . c h
w w w. d i va i n t e r n at i o n a l . c h
groups to frame global standards for application the economic opportunities and benefits
of various technologies. Our “Digital India for developing countries and ensuring the
Programme” closely aligns with ITU’s objectives success of the 15 Ministerial Conference of
th
and policies. It seeks to transform India into a UNCTAD later this year in Barbados.
digitally empowered society by ensuring robust
ICT infrastructure and Internet connectivity. Can you tell us how your country reconciles
India’s indigenous 5G mobile technology tradition and modernization with the
has been accepted by ITU as a part of the development of technology?
International Mobile Telecommunication (IMT India is an example of continuity with change.
2020) global standards. It significantly brings The ancient Indian civilizational traditions,
down the cost of 5G mobile services, making ethos and values continue to co-exist alongside
it suitable for use in rural areas where around modern values and traditions. Historically, India
60 per cent of India’s population resides. It will has been exposed to external religious, cultural
help in bridging the digital divide and promote and other influences and has shown its unique
digital inclusion. capacity to assimilate and integrate them, while
maintaining its own traditions and values.
India will be hosting the “World Tele- Since independence, Indian society has become
communication standardization Assembly” more inclusive, integrated and progressive. It
(WTSA-2022) at Hyderabad from 28 February has adapted to modern values and ethos while
to 11 March 2022. The WTSA is held every continuing with its several millennia old religious
four years and sets international standards for and cultural traditions. Indians have adjusted
information and communication technologies. to new ways of living their lives, using modern
technologies without upending the traditional
India has endeavoured to emerge as the global ways of living. A digital transformation of
hub for innovation and, as a part of its goal Indian society is underway.
of creating an appropriate ecosystem for
innovation, India has focused on improving the Finally, your Excellency, is there any one
structures and processes for implementation UN organization in Geneva that you have a
of its intellectual property obligations. In special interest in, personally?
realizing this goal, India has been working India, which is the world’s second most populated
closely with the World Intellectual Property country, has the second largest workforce of the
Organization (WIPO) and will strengthen its world. Over 15 million Indians also live and
engagement with WIPO in the future. work in various countries. I have been closely
interacting with the International Labour
India will also continue to engage intensively Organization (ILO) with a view to promoting
with UNCTAD with a view to maximizing the welfare of India’s large workforce.