External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday urged the United Nations General Assembly to respect territorial integrity and non-interference in internal affairs, saying these cannot be cherry-picking exercises. “We must never again have vaccine racism.” Such injustices must not be allowed to happen again. Climate action cannot continue to witness the evasion of historic responsibilities. The power of markets must not be used to shift food and energy from the needy to the rich,” J. Shankar said. “Nor should we recognize that political convenience determines responses to terrorism, extremism and violence. Similarly, respect for territorial integrity and non-interference in internal affairs cannot be cherry-picking exercises. When reality is rhetoric deviates from, then we must have the courage to call it out”, he said, adding that during his speech at the 78th UNGA, the minister called for a fair, just and democratic world order. “In our discussions, we often advocate the promotion of a rules-based order. From time to time, respect for the UN Charter is included. But for all that, it is still a few nations that set the agenda and tries to define the rules. It cannot continue indefinitely and will not be challenged”, said Jaishankar. “A fair, just and democratic system will surely emerge when we all pay attention to it. And for a start, that means ensuring that the rule-makers do not subjugate the rule-takers”, he said. added. “India seeks to foster cooperation with diverse partners. From the era of Non-Alignment, we have now evolved into the era of ‘Vishva Mitra – Friend of the World’. It is a wide range of nations and interests where necessary. It is evident in our ability and willingness to harmonize. This is visible in the rapid development of the QUAD; it is equally evident in the expansion of the BRICS group or the emergence of the I2U2”, he said. He also spoke on the Women’s Reservation Bill passed in Parliament in 2016. “Our latest claim is in the groundbreaking legislation to reserve one-third seats for women in the legislature. I speak of a society where the ancient traditions of democracy have taken deep modern roots. As a result, our thinking, approach and actions are more grounded and authentic”, asserted the minister.