In a significant development, India has been selected for key positions in several prominent bodies of the United Nations, including the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB). Jagjit Pavadia of India has achieved a remarkable feat by being elected to the INCB for the third consecutive term, marking a significant accomplishment in her career. She garnered the highest number of votes in a fiercely competitive election organized by the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).
Pavadia secured her position through a secret ballot for the third term from March 2025 to 2030. India has also been chosen for the Commission on the Status of Women for the period of 2025-2029. Additionally, India has secured seats in various other bodies such as the Executive Board of UNICEF for the period 2025-2027, the Executive Boards of Project Services and UNDP/UNFPA/UNOPS for the period 2025-2027, and the Executive Board of UNFPA for the period 2025-2027.
Furthermore, India has been elected for the Executive Board of the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women for the term 2025-2027 and the Executive Board of the World Food Programme for the term 2025-2027.
India’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ruchira Kamboj, emphasized India’s commitment to actively engage in discussions within these United Nations bodies while upholding the principle of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ – the world is one family, as articulated by India. She highlighted the guiding principle as fostering creative and collaborative contributions in global deliberations, promoting unity, and reaffirming our dedication to shared responsibilities for the collective welfare of all.
The ECOSOC conducted elections on Tuesday to fill vacancies in its 17 subsidiary bodies. India’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations stated on ‘X’ that “India has secured significant victories in the United Nations. India has won a prestigious election for the International Narcotics Control Board for the period 2025-2030 and has obtained seats in several major United Nations bodies.”
The mission further stated, “India, as always, will continue to actively contribute to deliberations in these bodies, keeping our overarching vision of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ in mind.” Foreign Minister S Jaishankar mentioned in a post on ‘X’ on Tuesday, “Today (Tuesday), India’s candidate Jagjit Pavadia was re-elected in New York for the International Narcotics Control Board for the term 2025-2030 in fiercely contested elections.”
He noted that India received the highest number of votes among all elected member states of the board. The Foreign Minister praised India’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations and the team of the Ministry of External Affairs for their commendable work.
India received 41 votes out of the 53 member states voting in ECOSOC, which is the highest among all winning member states. Pavadia secured a resounding victory in a tough election with 41 votes, while the candidate in the second position received 30 votes. With 24 candidates vying for the five seats on the board, the election was highly competitive.
Pavadia has been a member of the International Narcotics Control Board since 2015. She was re-elected by the council for the term 2020-2025 in May 2019. She served as the President of the Board from 2021 to 2022.
