New Delhi: India reaffirmed its commitment to rights-based and inclusive social development at the 64th session of the Commission for Social Development at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, the government said on Monday.
Delivering India’s national statement, Minister of State for Women and Child Development Savitri Thakur said social justice and protection in India rested on constitutional guarantees. She said the approach aligned with the country’s long-term vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.
The minister said India followed a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach under the principle of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas”. She said this ensured that growth and welfare reached all sections without exclusion.
Smt. Thakur outlined major initiatives reflecting scale and last-mile delivery. These included parity in school participation for girls and boys, expansion of basic services such as drinking water, sanitation and clean cooking fuel, and large-scale financial inclusion.
She said women emerged as key beneficiaries of entrepreneurship and credit schemes. She also cited nationwide helplines and integrated service centres for women and children, along with maternal and child health programmes covering over 100 million beneficiaries.
Commission for Social Development hears India’s call for inclusive policies
India also highlighted expanded social security for the elderly, persons with disabilities, unorganised workers and transgender persons. The minister underlined the role of digital public infrastructure and direct benefit transfers in improving transparency and service delivery.
She said global social challenges required collective action. India expressed support for stronger multilateral cooperation, capacity building and South-South collaboration to accelerate social development outcomes.
The session was chaired by Ukraine’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Khrystyna Hayovyshyn. Senior UN officials, including Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed and General Assembly President Annalena Baerbock, addressed the gathering.
More than 100 UN member states participated in the 64th session of the Commission for Social Development.
