The UN’s response comes days after a significant uproar over the change from Bharat to India in President Droupadi Murmu’s invitation to international leaders attending this weekend’s G20 conference for dinner.
When New Delhi completes all necessary procedures, the UN “will change India’s name to Bharat in UN records,” according to reports. “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.
“It’s not for the UN to comment on the debate,” Mr Dujarric, who was speaking on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Delhi, said.
“As long as the formalities are done, the UN will change the name too. It’s a bureaucratic issue regarding what the UN needs to do,” he added.
If the name is changed, India won’t be the first nation. There is a lengthy list of countries whose names have been altered for political, social, or other reasons.
The top UN official added that “history has shown that it has happened many times for several countries” and used Turkey’s name change to Turkiye last year as an illustration.
The Center allegedly considers dropping the name India and sticking with Bharat as the country’s name. There doesn’t need to be an issue because “Bharat” has been “in use from time immemorial,” according to some 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 they should remember as they prepare for the next G20 conference. Since Bharat was formerly the nation’s name, 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 crucial moment. A prominent voice in the Global South is that of India. According to Mr. Dujarric, India is a politically and geographically bridge-builder, and the G20’s theme of “One Earth, One Planet” is precisely what we need now.
On September 9 and 10, Delhi will host the G20 Summit, which India is organizing, which will be attended by several world leaders, including US Vice President Joe Biden.
