On September 9, 2024, India’s new Permanent Representative to the United Nations, P. Harish, presented his credentials to UN Secretary-General, António Guterres in New York.
Soon after presenting his credentials, he met with Philemon Yang, the incoming President of the General Assembly, and expressed India’s full support for his leadership.
Ambassador Harish also delivered India’s statement at the UN Security Council open debate on Strengthening UN Peacekeeping.
During his address, Ambassador Harish emphasized India’s role as the largest troop contributor to UN missions, having contributed more than 250,000 personnel in over 50 UN missions. He also reminded the Council about 82 Indian peacekeepers who sacrificed their lives in various UN missions.
He also called for improved safety of peacekeepers, the establishment of a Memorial Wall, and greater representation of Africa in the Council.
Ambassador Harish also held talks with Nepal’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Lok Bahadur Thapa, highlighting the deep historical ties between India and Nepal and agreeing to strengthen their ongoing partnership at UN.
Ambassador Harish, a 1990 batch officer of the Indian Foreign Service, most recently held the position of India’s Ambassador to Germany. From 2012 to 2016, he served as the Consul General of India in Houston. His diplomatic career also includes assignments in Indian missions in Cairo, Vietnam, Riyadh, and Gaza City.
