In recent years, the position of India on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has been a topic of considerable debate. It has garnered attention and conflicting viewpoints from global leaders, prominently the Obama and Trump administrations, who both voiced their support for a permanent seat for India. However, under the new US President Joe Biden’s administration, ambiguities have emerged regarding this proposal.
The Current Stand of the U.S. on UNSC Reformation
The State Department under Biden’s administration offers a nuanced perspective on the issue. While they advocate for a reformed Security Council that’s representative, effective, and relevant, they extend only qualified support for enlarging the UNSC in terms of both permanent and non-permanent seats. It is explicit about not supporting an expansion of the veto power currently held by the P-5 (Permanent Five), including China, France, Russia, UK, and US. Interestingly, the US’s Ambassador to UN refrains from expressing explicit support for India or the other G4 members – Japan, Germany, Brazil – for a permanent UNSC seat. This hesitation stems from regional disagreements by Uniting for Consensus (UFC) group, which includes Pakistan, South Korea, Italy and Argentina, all opposing the G4’s plan.
Imperative of UNSC Reforms
Critics highlight the undemocratic nature of the UNSC, particularly due to underrepresentation or non-representation of certain regions and the misuse of veto power by P-5 nations for personal strategic interests. The lack of global governance mechanisms for areas such as the Internet, space, and high seas raises further questions about the UNSC’s relevance in the current global context.
India’s Case for a Permanent Seat in UNSC
Several arguments put forth the case for India’s permanent membership in the UNSC. First, India’s historic association with the UN system as a founding member and consistent contributor to peacekeeping missions add weight to this claim. Second, India’s intrinsic values as the world’s largest democracy and soon-to-be most populous nation underline its importance. Additionally, India also stands as one of the fastest growing economies worldwide. Lastly, India’s increasing geopolitical footprint, particularly its induction as a Nuclear Weapons State in 1998 and participation in global export control regimes, further strengthen its case.
Challenges in India’s Bid for Permanent Membership
Despite the numerous reasons for India’s inclusion as a permanent member of the UNSC, there are significant roadblocks. Critics argue that India’s refusal to sign the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty undermines its bid for a permanent seat. Moreover, China, one of the P-5 with veto power, consistently obstructs India’s efforts to become a permanent member. Concerns also stem from India’s poor performance on socio-economic indicators like the Human Development Index and its limited military capabilities beyond the Indian Ocean region.
The dialogue about India’s potential as a permanent member of UNSC is ongoing and multifaceted, with various factors at play that both support and challenge its bid. As things stand, India continues to serve as a non-permanent member of the UNSC for the years 2021 and 2022, holding the presidency for the month of August.
