Russian President Vladimir Putin, the President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Felix Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo, who is also the President of the African Union, and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken are among the high-level dignitaries who are expected to participate in the maritime debate of the UN Security Council (UNSC), that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will chair on Monday.
UN diplomats familiar with organizing the meeting said confirmations are still being received and that the list of those likely to participate in the debate could grow. The meeting on Monday will be the first UN Security Council debate chaired by an Indian Prime Minister, although this will be the eighth time India has held the rotating presidency of the world's major body as a non-permanent member.
Modi will virtually lead the debate in the face of the ongoing Covid pandemic. The Maritime Safety Debate is the first of three iconic events India is hosting in August as President of the United Nations Security Council.
Defended as the main victim in the world organization for decades, especially by state-sponsored groups and individuals across the western border. Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar will chair the other two, in person at the UN headquarters in New York City.