UN Security Council: Why India Deserves A Seat

Editor’s Note:
The UN’s influence on avoidance of conflict and stabilisation of global security seems to be sliding deeper along the contours of a descending graph. The singular, all important and long pending reform that needs immediate enactment is the reorganisation of the Security Council that is at the core of its functional effectiveness. There are varied models suggested by different interest groups, however, none of these have gone anywhere beyond debates and discussions. India’s inclusion in the Security Council has also not materialised either.

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Trustee of World Peace

In the aftermath of World War II, the international community sought to establish a lasting framework for maintaining global peace and security. Thus, the United Nations (UN) was born, tasked with preventing, containing, and resolving conflicts through diplomacy, negotiation, and mediation, thereby minimizing the devastating impact of wars. As enshrined in the Preamble of the UN Charter, “We the people of the United Nations determined to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war, which twice in our lifetime has brought untold sorrow to mankind.” This crucial responsibility of maintaining international peace and order falls upon the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), a body composed of five permanent members (P5) – China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States – who wield veto power, and ten rotating members.

Since its inception in 1945, the UN has held a complex and evolving role in mitigating global conflict. Its preventive diplomacy and mediation efforts have undoubtedly saved lives, while peacekeeping operations have fostered stability in post-conflict zones. 

From Gridlock to Action: Need for Reforms

However, in the recent decades, the UNSC, has faced criticism for its performance and legitimacy. Notably, its inability to effectively address conflicts in Rwanda, Somalia, Bosnia, Darfur, South Sudan, Syria, Iraq, Yemen, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and most recently, Ukraine and Palestine, have raised concerns. This waning authority and perceived failure of the UN can be attributed to multiple factors, including the persistent discord among the five permanent members (P5). The veto power wielded by the P5 member states often creates a gridlock and hinders decisive action. As per a UN report, since 16 February 1946 – when the USSR cast the first veto on a draft resolution – the veto has been recorded 293 time often crippling the decision making. 

This calls for a critical examination of the UNSC’s structure and effectiveness. Reforms aimed at enhancing its representativeness, transparency, and accountability are crucial to restore public trust and enable it to fulfil its vital role in securing a more peaceful world. Amongst the many reforms that are essential for restoring the credibility of the UN, the restructuring of the UNSC is considered as most crucial by the member states as they feel that the existing composition of the UNSC reflects the geopolitical landscape of a bygone era. This outdated structure fails to represent the diverse perspectives and interests of the 21st-century world, rendering the UNSC less effective in addressing contemporary global challenges. 

The current P5 structure, with its veto power concentrated among a select few, breeds perceptions of unfairness and exclusivity. This perception of bias is further exacerbated by the absence of permanent representation from emerging powers, particularly those from the Global South, which have witnessed significant economic growth and political influence in recent decades.

Barriers to Change

Regrettably, there has been no progress on this matter and the Intergovernmental Negotiations framework (IGN) has been totally ineffective primarily due to inadequate attention from the P5 as they do not want to compromise their permanent seat with veto and individually hold different views on the expansion of the UNSC. 

Russia, wary of its diminishing influence, remains cynical about expanding the UNSC with permanent members although it has recently supported the Indian bid for a permanent seat. China too, opposes adding new permanent members, particularly its regional rivals India and Japan, and has consistently obstructed text-based negotiations that could have led to a breakthrough. 

While the United States has voiced support for UNSC expansion, it has capped its support at 21 members, effectively stalling the proposal. However, in a recent statement, President Biden expressed support for expanding the UNSC beyond this limit. The United Kingdom and France, aware of their vulnerabilities and Europe’s overrepresentation on the council, have been backing the reforms.

While there is widespread acceptance among UN member states on the need for expansion of the UNSC, consensus on the suitable candidates remains elusive. This is largely due to the geopolitical interests of various nations, each promoting their favoured candidates or stymying their rivals although veiled under the principled stance of preventing reinforcement of the existing power hierarchy. For instance, China, a permanent member (P5) based on its size and influence, now advocates for regional representation, seeking to promote Africa and hinder the aspirations of emerging powers like India and Japan.

Currently, three main groups are engaged in this ongoing debate. The first is the G4 coalition, composed of India, Japan, Germany, and Brazil, along with their supporters. This grouping seeks equal status with the P5, is willing to compromise on veto power, and supports the addition of two permanent members from Africa. The second group, known as the Uniting for Consensus (UFC) or the Coffee Club, is led by regional rivals of the G4 and comprises approximately 50 countries, including Pakistan, Turkey, Argentina, Mexico, South Korea, Italy, Poland, Egypt, Spain, and Canada. The UFC advocates expanding only the non-permanent membership of the UNSC from 10 to 20. China aligns with their position. The third grouping consists of the African Union nations, who collectively seek two permanent seats and three additional non-permanent seats for the continent.

India’s Stake in the UNSC Reforms

From India’s perspective, reforming the UNSC is an imperative that brooks no further delay. It has been critical of the current impasse in the UNSC’s functioning which severely undermines global security creating a fertile ground for the escalation of existing conflicts. In a recent move, India demonstrably expressed its dissatisfaction with the stalled progress on UNSC reforms by reducing its financial contribution to the UN by 35 percent.

Despite the opposition from certain quarters, India, the world’s largest democracy, stands firmly qualified for permanent membership on the UNSC meeting all the parameters required for this position. India’s economic strength, its commitment to international peace and security, and its unwavering support for multilateralism make it an indispensable voice in global affairs. India’s vast population, representing over 1.3 billion people, further underscores its significance on the world stage. 

The Indian Government should therefore take concrete steps to push the agenda for reform of the UNSC and strengthen its bid. Following actions are suggested:

• India should clearly articulate its vision for a reformed UNSC, emphasizing the need for a more representative, effective, and legitimate body. This vision should highlight India’s commitment to strengthening multilateralism, promoting global peace and security, and addressing contemporary challenges.

• The Ministry of External Affairs should engage in active and sustained diplomacy with all UN member states, particularly the current permanent members of the UNSC including China. This diplomacy should emphasize India’s contributions to global peace and security, its economic growth and development, and its commitment to democratic values.

• India should work closely with other countries that support its bid for permanent membership, such as the G4 (Brazil, Germany, Japan, and India) and the L.69 Group (developing countries from Asia, Africa, and Latin America). This coalition should coordinate its efforts and advocate jointly for India’s permanent membership along with others countries like Brazil, Japan and South Africa.

• Despite the setbacks in achieving UNSC reforms, India must remain actively engaged on crucial global issues such as climate change and sustainable development. Maintaining its positivity and commitment to these areas, alongside sustained financial and troop contributions to the UN, will showcase India’s unwavering dedication to global security. This continued engagement will further solidify India’s position as a responsible and influential member of the international community, strengthening its candidacy for permanent membership in the UNSC.

In conclusion, the world’s increasingly complex and volatile landscape demands a more effective and dynamic UNSC with broader representation reflecting the realities of the 21st century. Granting India, the most populous and largest democracy a permanent seat on the UNSC is not simply desirable, but necessary for the Council’s continued legitimacy and effectiveness in addressing global security challenges. India, along with like-minded nations, must remain steadfast in its pursuit of UNSC reform and continue to be a leading voice and active contributor within the UN system.

Major General (Dr) Gajinder Singh, AVSM, PhD