India is due for election to the temporary membership of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) later this year, for the 2021-22 period. Moreover, India for long has been of the view that the UNSC sought to be reformed by expansion in the membership of the Security Council in both the permanent and non – permanent categories.
India, by any objective criteria, such as population, territorial size, GDP, economic potential, civilizational legacy, cultural diversity, political system, is eminently qualified for permanent membership.
Thus, the Indian tryst for permanent membership of Security Council flows broadly from a mix of, three streams, viz., India’s historic association with the UN system, India’s intrinsic value and place in contemporary international politics and its role as the leader of developing countries.
Need for UNSC Reforms
UNSC has been in existence for more than 75 years. However, it does not represent the geopolitical and economic realities of the 21st century.
- Undemocratic UNSC: Barring two regions (North America and Europe), other regions are either underrepresented (like Asia) or not represented at all (Africa, Latin America and the Small Island developing states).
- Lack of Global Governance: There are no regulatory mechanisms for global commons like the Internet, Space, High Seas (beyond your EEZ-exclusive economic zone) and no unanimity on how to deal with global issues like terrorism, climate change, cybersecurity and public health (as seen in the current pandemic).
- Misuse of Veto Power: The veto power is used by permanent five countries to serve the strategic interest of themselves and their allies.
- Since 1990, the United States has cast a veto on Council resolutions 16 times, concerning Israeli-Palestinian relations. Russia has done so 17 times, including eight times over Syria.
- Due to all these factors, the former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan said that the Security Council must either reform or risk becoming increasingly irrelevant.
Yogita Ingle 4 years, 10 months ago
India is due for election to the temporary membership of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) later this year, for the 2021-22 period. Moreover, India for long has been of the view that the UNSC sought to be reformed by expansion in the membership of the Security Council in both the permanent and non – permanent categories.
India, by any objective criteria, such as population, territorial size, GDP, economic potential, civilizational legacy, cultural diversity, political system, is eminently qualified for permanent membership.
Thus, the Indian tryst for permanent membership of Security Council flows broadly from a mix of, three streams, viz., India’s historic association with the UN system, India’s intrinsic value and place in contemporary international politics and its role as the leader of developing countries.
Need for UNSC Reforms
UNSC has been in existence for more than 75 years. However, it does not represent the geopolitical and economic realities of the 21st century.
1Thank You