Recently, a United Nations Security Council (UNSC) meeting was conducted on the topic ‘Promote Common Security Through Dialogue and Cooperation.’ The delegate from India addressed the council at this event. This meeting was convened by China, who is the president of the Security Council for August 2022 and a veto-wielding member of the 15-member Council.
Key Highlights of the Address
The main emphasis throughout the address was on the respect for each other’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and international agreements. The Indian delegate argued that common security can only be achieved when countries unify against terrorism and avoid double standards. It was also stressed that nations should not take unilateral measures to back out of agreements.
The importance of multilateral reform, particularly in the Security Council, was highlighted. The argument put forward was that common security among nations cannot be achieved if the global south is denied representation. A priority was placed on making the Security Council more representative of developing countries, to reflect current geopolitical realities, and the necessity for Africa to have permanent representation on the Council was urged.
Global Conflicts and their Impact
An armed conflict in one part of the world has cascading effects on the people of another. The impact of the Ukraine Conflict on other developing countries, especially on the supply of food grains, fertilizer, and fuel, was discussed. Emphasis was also laid on how the crisis in Afghanistan is affecting the region.
There was criticism towards China, which had violated border pacts by amassing its military in eastern Ladakh in 2020. The eastern Ladakh border standoff between India and China erupted on May 5th, 2020, following a violent clash in the Pangong lake areas. Following this, both sides escalated their deployment with tens of thousands of soldiers and heavy weaponry.
Understanding the Security Council
The Security Council was established by the UN Charter in 1945. It is one of the six principal organs of the United Nations, including the General Assembly (UNGA), the Trusteeship Council, the Economic and Social Council, the International Court of Justice, and the Secretariat.
The UNSC has a mandate to maintain international peace and security. It plays a crucial role in selecting the UN Secretary-General and electing judges to the International Court of Justice along with the UNGA. Its resolutions, adopted under Chapter VII of the UN charter, are binding on all countries.
Composition and Voting Powers of the UNSC
The UNSC comprises 15 members – five permanent members: China, France, the Russian Federation, the United Kingdom, and the United States, and ten non-permanent members elected for two-year terms by the General Assembly.
India has served seven times in the UN Security Council as a non-permanent member and entered the UNSC for the eighth time in January 2021. India has been advocating a permanent seat in UNSC. Each member of the Security Council has one vote. Decisions of the Security Council on matters are made by an affirmative vote of nine members, including the concurring votes of the permanent members. A “No” vote from one of the five permanent members blocks the passage of the resolution.
It’s important to note how global conflicts and their impacts, along with the structure and functioning of the UNSC, play a crucial role in maintaining international peace and security. The recent UNSC meeting has shed more light on these aspects and emphasized the need for cooperation among countries.
