India very important player in the multilateral system: UNGA President Espinosa

Commending India for being a very important player in the multilateral system, UN General Assembly President Maria Fernanda Espinosa has said the country is a "leading force" in areas of climate action and poverty eradication.

Espinosa underscored that given India's large population, its actions and success on issues such as climate change and poverty eradication is "extremely important."
"India has a very important role to play when we talk about counter-terrorism. It is a very important and key partner," she said, adding that as the President of the 73rd session of the General Assembly, she is "very much looking forward to working with India" in the new year "in terms of rights-based approach, in terms of everything that has to do with our agenda."
Last year, Espinosa also underscored that India's success in achieving the SDGs can "change the face of the world."
"This either/or is not real because you can have both. National leaders, heads of nation can really take care of national interest when at the same time they can take part in the international community and have shared responsibilities and global leadership on global issues. Both can co-exist in a very healthy way."