News Highlight
India’s eighth United Nations Security Council stint has raised the bar high.
Key Takeaway
- At the end of December 2022, India will have completed its ninth term on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).
- And, by any standard, its two-year tenure is unprecedented. For 18 of the 24 months, I was honoured to serve as India’s Ambassador/Permanent Representative in the Council.
- When I landed in New York on a relief aircraft in May 2020, COVID-19 was at its zenith, and the streets of Manhattan were deserted.
- The United Nations had begun to hold virtual sessions.
- Fortunately, the UN Security Council resumed physical meetings in the Council Chamber by May 2021.
United Nations Security Council
- About
- The UN Charter established the Security Council in 1945.
- It is one of the United Nations‘ six primary organs.
- The General Assembly (UNGA), the Trusteeship Council, the Economic and Social Council, and the International Court of Justice.
- In addition, the Secretariat are the other five organs of the United Nations.
- Its principal responsibility is to work to keep the world at peace and security.
- The council’s headquarters are in New York.
- Members
- The UN Security Council has 15 members, 10 of whom are non-permanent and 5 of whom are permanent.
- China, the United Kingdom, France, Russia, and the United States are the UN Security Council’s five permanent members.
- Albania, Brazil, Gabon, Ghana, India, Ireland, Kenya, Mexico, Norway, and the UAE are among the ten non-permanent members.
- The UNGA elects the non-permanent United Nations Security Council members for two years.
- Every year, the UN Security Council’s five non-permanent members are replaced.
- Functions and Powers
- To uphold global peace and security in accordance with the United Nations’ goals and objectives.
- Determine the current threat to peace and decide what action to take.
- Use military force as necessary.
- The UN Security Council recommends a way to resolve conflicts.
- It also examines any circumstance or issue that could lead to international conflict.
- To encourage members to use economic sanctions and other measures to deter hostility.
India in the UNSC
- In 1947-48, India actively created the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).
- And spoke out strongly against racial injustice in South Africa.
- India has helped shape decisions on various problems.
- It includes admitting former colonies to the UN, handling violent conflicts in the Middle East, and keeping peace in Africa.
- It has significantly contributed to the UN, particularly in maintaining international peace and security.
- India has participated in 43 peacekeeping missions, contributing over 160,000 troops and a substantial number of police personnel.
- India’s population, territorial size, GDP, economic potential, civilisational legacy, cultural diversity, political system and past and ongoing contributions to UN activities.
- It makes India’s demand for a permanent seat in the UNSC entirely rational.
Challenges for India in Getting a Permanent Seat at UNSC
- Although it appears to be a simple process, it is complicated by the reservations of some permanent members of the UN Security Council.
- China, in particular, has obstructed India’s path to a permanent seat.
- India is viewed as a proliferating nuclear power.
- It is one of the significant causes that has acted as a roadblock.
- One of the concerns is the growing division between the main nations.
- There are only 5 seats available for permanent membership in the United Nations Security Council.
- However, in 2019, France became the UN Security Council’s newest member, displacing India’s permanent seat.
- India’s admission to the UN Security Council appears to be a pipe dream.
Way Forward
- Power disparities between the P5 and the rest of the world must be addressed immediately.
- It is also necessary to modify the Security Council by increasing the number of permanent and non-permanent seats.
- It aims to help the UN entity deal with the “ever-complex and growing threats” to international peace and security.
- As the current non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, India might begin by drafting a resolution offering a detailed set of ideas for UNSC reform.
Pic Courtesy: The Hindu
Content Source: The Hindu