New York: United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called Mahatma Gandhi an "uncompromising advocate for peaceful co-existence" and said that Gandhi's bust at the organisation would serve as a reminder of the values he upheld.
Guterres tweeted "Mahatma Gandhi was an uncompromising advocate for peaceful co-existence, non-discrimination and pluralism. The new installation located at @UN Headquarters will serve as a reminder of the values Gandhi upheld, and to which we must remain committed.”
Last week, Foreign Minister S Jaishankar unveiled the statue of Mahatma Gandhi at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. In a news release, the Permanent Mission of India to the UN stated that Guterres, Csaba Korosi, the President of the 77th UN General Assembly, and Ambassador Ruchira Kamboj, India's Permanent Representative, accompanied the EAM on the occasion and offered floral tributes at the bust of Mahatma Gandhi.
Mahatma Gandhi's favourite bhajan 'Vaishnav jan to' was recited at the event. The bust, a gift by India, will be the first sculpture of Gandhi to be permanently located at the North Lawn Gardens of the United Nations.
High-ranking representatives of the United Nations Security Council members, including newly elected members and senior UN officials, also attended the event, the announcement stated. Jaishankar was in New York to Chair the United Nations Security Council meetings on 14-15 December 2022.
During his visit, Jaishankar is scheduled to preside over two High-Level Ministerial signature events of India's ongoing presidency. The Foreign ministry, in a press release, stated that the High-Level Ministerial Open Debate on December 14 is on the theme of "New Orientation for Reformed Multilateralism" [NORMS]."