The Indian flag has been raised at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) stakeout in a ceremony marking the beginning two-year term of New Delhi as a non-permanent member of the top UN body.

On January 1, India began its tenure as non-permanent member of the powerful 15-nation UN organ for the 2021-22 term.

Flags of the five new incoming non-permanent members of the Security Council – India, Norway, Kenya, Ireland and Mexico – were installed at the stakeout during the special ceremony.

Tirumurti installed the Indian tricolour and said that as India assumes the membership of the Security Council for the eighth time, “it is an honour for me as the Permanent Representative of India to take part in today’s flag installation ceremony.”

“India comes into the Security Council as the largest democracy representing 1/6th of humanity and with a strong commitment to reformed multilateralism, rule of law, a fair and equitable international system and to peace, security and development. From Kashmir to Kanyakumari, we stand united as one, bound by our ethos of democracy, pluralism and commitment to fundamental rights,” Tirumurti said in his remarks during the ceremony.

He said India will “use our tenure to bring human-centric and inclusive solutions to matters of international peace and security. India will be a voice for the developing world.” “We will not shy away from raising our voice against the common enemies of humanity like terrorism,” he said, adding that India looks forward to “our collective pursuit for an ideal where the World is One Family – ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’.”

The Indian envoy said peace-keeping, peace-building, maritime security, women and youth, especially in conflict situations, and technology with a human face, will receive India’s attention while on the 15-nation Council.

India will be UNSC President in August 2021 and will preside over the Council again for a month in 2022. The presidency of the Council is held by each of the members in turn for one month, following the English alphabetical order of the Member States names.

The tradition of the flag installation ceremony was introduced by Kazakhstan in 2018. The ceremony was unanimously confirmed by all 15 UNSC members to become an annual tradition of the Security Council.