Statement of India at the 12th Session of the Expert Mechanism on the Right to Development deliverd by Mr. Sudheer K.J., First Secretary, Permanent Mission of India, Geneva 

 27 October 2025 

Mr. Chair,

Indian delegation reiterates its steadfast support for the Expert Mechanism and for the full and effective implementation of the Right to Development (RTD). We also urge the Office of the High Commissioner to extend all possible support and resources to the Expert Mechanism to ensure that it can effectively discharge its important mandate.

Mr. Chair,

India always viewed humanity as one family and has consistently emphasized the importance of South-South as well as North-South cooperation. We attach high priority to inclusive and sustainable development, which guides India’s development cooperation with other countries, guided by their developmental priorities.

Our global development cooperation framework includes grant-in-aid, lines of credit, capacity-building, training, and technical assistance. At the multilateral level, India has established the India–UN Development Partnership Fund to strengthen our cooperation with fellow developing countries and LDCs. 

We believe that sustainable, equitable, and inclusive development promotes social justice and helps reduce exploitation and inequalities. The Right to Development and economic, social, and cultural rights are mutually reinforcing- the realization of one advances the realization of the others.

At the national level, our efforts in areas such as health, education, housing, poverty reduction, digital empowerment, gender equality, and climate action are all aimed at realizing the Right to Development for our people.

In contributing to global climate action and addressing the challenges of global warming, India has launched important initiatives such as the International Solar Alliance (ISA) and the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI).

Mr. Chair,

India firmly believes that international cooperation is essential for the operationalization and realization of the Right to Development. Reforming the global multilateral framework and strengthening capacity-building efforts are key to achieving this goal.

India remains fully committed to the operationalization of the Right to Development and will continue to engage constructively with the international community towards the conclusion of the International Covenant on the Right to Development.

Thank you.