NEW DELHI, 02 August 2021, (TON): India took over from France to assume the presidency of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for the month of August. This is the first presidency for India during its 2021-22 tenure as a non-permanent member of the UNSC.

India’s Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador T S Tirumurti said in a tweet "India has just assumed the presidency of The UN Security Council on 1st August. India and France enjoy historical and close relations. I thank France for all the support which they've given us during our stint in the Security Council."

Ambassador Tirumurti said "during our presidency, India is organising three high-level signature meetings focussing on our priority areas--maritime security, peacekeeping, and counter-terrorism. India will also be organising a solemn event in memory of peacekeeper.,"

The first working day of India’s Presidency was Monday, August 2 when Tirumurti will hold a hybrid press briefing in the UN headquarters on the Council’s programme of work for the month.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to address the UNSC on August 9.

Former permanent representative of India to the UN Syed Akbaruddin said "our Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be the first Indian PM who has decided to preside over a meeting of UNSC."