India has fulfilled its annual commitment by disbursing $32.895 million to the UN's general budget, as disclosed by Stephane Dujarric, the Spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. Expressing gratitude during his Thursday briefing, Dujarric acknowledged India's timely contribution, securing its position on the UN's "honour roll."
Among the 193 UN member states, only 36, including India, met the deadline for their annual assessment payment to the UN's general budget, as reported by the UN General Assembly's Committee on Contributions. While India's total assessment stands at $36.18 million, it benefits from a $3.85 million credit. This credit originates from staff assessments—deductions from the salaries of UN employees who are Indian nationals, in lieu of income taxes, and credited to India.
Constituting 1.044% of the UN's total regular budget of $3.59 billion, India's financial commitment reflects its responsible global citizenship. Despite being the world's fifth-largest economy, India's assessment is calculated at a modest 1.044% due to the intricate formula considering factors like gross national income, capacity to pay, low per capita income, and external debt.
This places India's share below that of certain developing nations like Brazil and Mexico. In contrast, the United States stands as the largest contributor to the UN's regular budget, with an assessment of $762.43 million, constituting 22% of the total. China follows, contributing 15.25%, amounting to $528.64 million.
It is important to note that the UN maintains separate budgets for capital works, tribunals, and peacekeeping operations. India's commitment underscores its commitment to global cooperation and its role in supporting the United Nations' diverse initiatives.
(With Agency Inputs)
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