Page 36 - A Gender-Sensitive Indian Foreign Policy- Why? and How?

Indian Council
of World Affairs

Now we come to the last panellist but not the least in our discussion
this afternoon, Ms. Akanksha Khullar. She is a researcher at the Centre
for Internal and Regional security at the Institute of Peace and Conflict
Studies in Delhi. Her work focuses on women, peace and security agenda
and identifying how national, regional and international organizations
contributed in shaping UN Security Council Resolution 1325. I invite
Akanksha to make her remarks. Thank you.

Ms. Akanksha Khullar I, as a researcher and a feminist, strongly believe that the reasons as to why
(Researcher, Centre for India should pursue a gender sensitive foreign policy are many. But what
Internal and Regional
Security at Institute thrills me is the fact, that people have begun asking this question today and
of Peace and Conflict at a time when India’s foreign policy is already envisioning widening its
Studies, New Delhi)
sphere of influence and is moving towards making a stronger commitment
towards the goal of women empowerment.

For instance, India has recently secured a significant victory by becoming a
member the prestigious UN Commission on the Status of Women. India has
also been elected to UNSC as a non-permanent member and upon assuming
its seat, Ambassador T.S. Tirumurti, Permanent Representative of India to the
UN, highlighted that during its tenure, peace-keeping and peace-building
along with women’s inclusion will receive India’s attention.

It is also important to note here that, previously, India has actively
participated in the UNSC open debates on WPS, which is a cross-cutting
issue and has co-sponsored Resolution 1889 that forms a part of the WPS
agenda and is focused on post-conflict peace-building, calling for the
development of indicators to measure the implementation of UNSCR 1325
both within the UN system, and by Member States.

However, to ensure that India’s strong rhetorical commitments regarding
gender equality and women’s participation in peace and security matters,

India has also been elected to UNSC as a non-permanent member

and upon assuming its seat, Amb. T.S. Tirumurti, Permanent
Representative of India to the UN, highlighted that during its
tenure, peace-keeping and peace-building along with women’s
36 inclusion will receive India’s attention.

Indian Council of World Affairs An ICWA Conversation