From Delhi to Montreal: India’s Aviation Influence Grows
New Delhi: India has been re-elected to Part II of the Council of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) for the 2025–2028 term, securing a stronger mandate than in the 2022 elections. The election, held on September 27, 2025, during the 42nd ICAO Assembly in Montreal, saw India secure more votes than in 2022, reflecting its growing clout among member states in a sector that literally keeps the world connected.
Part II of the ICAO Council comprises States making the largest contribution to international civil air navigation facilities. India’s re-election underscores its enduring influence in shaping policy, safety standards, and innovation for the global aviation ecosystem. A founding member of ICAO since 1944, India has maintained uninterrupted representation for 81 years, consistently advocating for safe, secure, sustainable, and equitable air connectivity.
Ahead of the Assembly, the Ministry of Civil Aviation hosted a high-profile reception on 2 September 2025 in New Delhi for Ambassadors and High Commissioners, where Minister Rammohan Naidu personally sought support for India’s candidature. “Our aim is not just representation, but leadership in shaping the rules and policies that govern international skies,” he said. The Ministry of External Affairs reinforced this message through sustained diplomatic engagement, while India’s Representative at ICAO headquarters actively canvassed for re-election. During his Montreal visit, Minister Naidu held bilateral discussions with member states and engaged global aviation stakeholders, spotlighting India’s fast-growing aviation market.
The stakes are high. India’s aviation sector is among the fastest-growing in the world, attracting global interest in aircraft manufacturing, MRO, skill development, and cutting-edge aviation technology. Through its Council seat, India will push ICAO’s objectives forward, including the “No Country Left Behind” initiative, while promoting gender-inclusive policies, safety, security, and innovation.
The ICAO Assembly, held every three years, is the sovereign body comprising all 193 signatory States to the Chicago Convention. The 36-member Council, elected by these States, serves a three-year term as the organisation’s governing body. India’s re-election is a reaffirmation of its decades-long commitment to global civil aviation leadership and positions it at the forefront of multilateral cooperation in a sector that connects continents, economies, and people.
– global bihari bureau
