India upholds rule of law as cornerstone of its national governance, enshrined in Constitution: Tankha

United Nations, Oct 9 (PTI) India has said that it upholds the rule of law as a cornerstone of its national governance, enshrined in its Constitution, as it underlined its commitment to safeguarding national security and contributing meaningfully to global peace and security.

Delivering India's statement at the 80th Session of the UN General Assembly Sixth Committee Agenda Item 84, Rajya Sabha MP Vivek Tankha on Wednesday outlined the importance of the rule of law in national governance priorities.

"India upholds the rule of law as a cornerstone of its national governance, enshrined in its Constitution and reinforced through the independence of its judiciary and initiatives that expand access to justice, such as legal aid programs," he said.

In India, the rule of law operates on both procedural and substantive levels: it restrains arbitrary action by the State, guarantees equality before the law, and embeds democratic accountability across all branches and levels of governance, he added.

He said that three new criminal law frameworks have been introduced to reinforce India's commitment to the rule of law and strengthen its national legal framework. "These reforms are aimed at establishing a more transparent, people-centric and agile mechanisms that are equipped to tackle emerging challenges such as cybercrime." The government is also undertaking various activities to create awareness of the new laws and promote legal literacy, he said, adding that these measures are aimed at enhancing public trust and institutional effectiveness by tackling corruption, modernising outdated laws, and promoting transparency in government operations.

India is also adapting its law enforcement measures to confront emerging threats such as the misuse of drones and virtual currencies, he said.

"Through these measures, India reinforces its commitment to safeguarding national security and contributing meaningfully to global peace and stability," he added.

He said that in today's interconnected world, multilateralism is vital for tackling shared global challenges, but its effectiveness depends on strong legal frameworks that uphold the common good.

"India firmly believes that cooperative multilateralism is the only sustainable way forward, underscoring the urgent need to strengthen the international rule of law," he said.

He said that India recognises the importance of multilateral treaty processes in advancing the rule of law.

"For multilateralism and the international rule of law to remain effective and credible, global governance structures must evolve to reflect contemporary realities. The current architecture of the United Nations, particularly the composition of the Security Council, reflects a geopolitical reality of a bygone era," he said.

He emphasised that there is an urgent and compelling need to undertake comprehensive reform, including expansion in the permanent and non-permanent categories.

"Such reform is essential not only to enhance the Council's legitimacy, transparency and accountability but also to ensure its continued relevance and effectiveness in addressing the present-day challenges," he said.

He added that UN reforms will make the world body fit for purpose to effectively address the complex and interconnected challenges of the 21st century. PTI ZH ZH