INDIA SEEKING PERMANENCY IN UNSC

A Brief -

India got elected as a non-permanent member of UN Security Council (UNSC) for the eighth
time for a term of 2 years from Jan 2021- Dec 2022. India is now seeking for the permanent
seat in UNSC because India has 1/6th of the world’s population, it is the fifth largest growing
economy in the world in terms of GDP per capita, represents one voice for the developing
nations, been one of the largest contributors of peace-making force to UN, been the largest
democracy in the world and one of the strongest military force in the world. Hence, 184 out
of 193 nations have voted in favour of India for the eighth term.

There was a proposal at UN that (G4) India, Germany, Brazil and Japan should hold a
permanent seat in UNSC thereby bringing Amendment in UN Charter to expand the
permanent seats in UN from 5 members (US, UK, Russia, China and France) but this was
opposed by the Coffee Club (Italy, Mexico, Pakistan and Egypt). There are countries which
bid for permanent seat at UNSC but they are opposed by their adversaries because there is
a fear that the countries which bid would rise in their political power status. E.g., Italy
opposes Germany’s bid, Pakistan opposes India’s bid, China opposes India and Japan’s bid
while Argentina opposes Brazil’s bid to represent Latin America as permanent member at
UNSC. Such lack of unity restores the redundancy of UN Security Council structure.

If India gets the permanent seat going forward then it would also be given the veto power
shared by the other 5 permanent members. India must get 2/3 rd votes of the General
Assembly and votes of all the permanent members of UNSC to become a permanent
member of the Security Council.

What’s holding back India from being a permanent member?

 China has insecurities that India will get the veto power, no anti-India proposal will
pass, larger support for India in UN and the influence of India will expand at global
level and hence this has held back India from being a permanent member in Security
Council.

 It is observed that the veto power in the UN is used by the strong allied countries (5
permanent members in UN) to their own advantage that they pass the resolutions
that fall in their interests or else the resolutions are not passed at all hence not every
permanent member would like sharing the veto power with India since that would
take away the leverage and dilute their control.
 Historically, there have been several claims that India had refused the offer given by US
in 1950 and USSR in 1955 to become a permanent member of UN Security Council.
Well, no one knows the exact reasons behind the refusal but there are different theories
to it. Some argue that it was the indecisiveness by the Indian leaders then and an
adoption of consistent appeasement policy towards China. In spite of the repercussions
in 1962 Indo-Sino war, India continued appeasing China until the Galwan valley face-off
that eventually has forced India to move away from its conventional non-aligned status
and integrate with its strategic allies to break the hegemony of China over Asia.

Benefits from permanent seat at UNSC?

 India would have greater say in global geo-politics.

 India can influence the decisions taken at the UN.

 The permanent seat would add more prestige to India’s global position.

 India would strengthen as a security provider and address the security threats.

 India can become a voice for developing nations.

Final Thoughts –

UN Security Council must incorporate certain amendments to bring in more voices in its
ambit that represent their bit of peace-making efforts instead of just being overpowered with
the strong allies that already exist since decades in the UN. UN must have an equal
representation for countries across the world to reform its redundant structure, at least those
countries that are bidding for permanent membership and have least violations must be
considered to be made a part of UN Security Council.