Will Accept India's Name Change To Bharat If Formalities Complete: UN
The UN's statement comes days after a huge controversy broke out over the shift to India from Bharat in the dinner invitation from President Droupadi Murmu to foreign leaders attending the G20 summit this weekend.
New Delhi: When New Delhi completes all necessary procedures, the UN "will change India's name to Bharat in UN records," a spokeswoman for the international organisation told NDTV today.
India will inform us when the necessary steps are taken to change the name, and we will update the name in the UN records, according to Stephane Dujarric, principal spokesperson for the UN Secretary General.
The declaration was made a few days after a major controversy erupted over President Droupadi Murmu's invitation to a luncheon for international leaders attending the G20 meeting this weekend, which changed India's name from Bharat to India.
Speaking on the sidelines of the G20 conference in Delhi, Mr. Dujarric said, "It's not for the UN to comment on the issue.
"The UN will change the name as well, provided that the paperwork are completed. When it comes to what the UN needs to do, it's a bureaucratic problem, he continued.
If the name is changed at all, India won't be the first nation. There is a lengthy list of nations whose names have changed for political, social, or other reasons.
The senior UN official also used Turkey's name change to Turkiye last year as an illustration, noting that "history has shown that it has happened a number of times for several countries."
The Centre is allegedly considering dropping the name India and sticking with the simpler name of Bharat.There doesn't need to be an issue because "Bharat" has been "in use from time immemorial," according to a number of ministers and BJP leaders.
In a recent conversation with the Union Council of Ministers, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the subject and outlined the dos and don'ts that they should keep in mind as they prepare for the next G20 conference. Considering that Bharat was formerly the name of the nation, he advised his ministerial colleagues to stay out of the political controversy around it.
The UN Secretary-General's spokeswoman added that the timing of India's presidency is "very critical."
The presidency is taking place at a very important time.In the Global South, India is a major voice.According to Mr. Dujarric, India serves as a political and geographical bridge-builder, and the G20's motto of "One Earth, One Planet" is just what the world needs right now.
Several leaders of state from around the world, including US President Joe Biden, are present at the G20 Summit, which will take place in Delhi on September 9 and 10 while India is hosting the event.
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