With over 1.4 billion people, India is set to overtake China as the world’s most populous country, probably by next year, according to the United Nations. India is a formidable force and a prominent voice on the international stage and should be accepted as a permanent member of the UN Security Council at this point (UNSC).
With over 1.4 billion people, India is set to overtake China as the world’s most populous country, probably by next year, according to the United Nations. India is a formidable force and a prominent voice on the international stage. The country should be accepted as a permanent member of the UN Security Council at this point (UNSC). And, while most members of the P5 may think otherwise, there are numerous reasons why they should, particularly China, support India’s bid.
There are 15 members of the UNSC; 10 of them are permanent and 5 are non-permanent. Five non-permanent members are chosen by the 193-member UNSC each year for a two-year tenure.
In addition, the Council has five other permanent members: China, France, Russia, the UK, and the US.
It is ridiculous that a nuclear power with nearly a fifth of the world’s population—the majority of whom share a commitment to Indian history, identity, and culture—should be subject to the stipulations and decisions of five countries (China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States), four of which have much smaller populations. The population of the United Kingdom, for example, is only one-third that of Uttar Pradesh, India’s most populous state.
The nation is one of the world body’s founding members and has served as a non-permanent member of the Council seven times: in 1950–1951, 1967–68, 1972–1973, 1977–1978, 1984–1985, 1991–1992, and most recently in 2011–2012.
It is one of the major players in world politics after 75 years of independence. By modernising international organisations, India has taken the lead in promoting the New International Economic Order (NIEO) and has asked for changes to international organisations like the UNSC, IMF, WB, WTO, and others that include inclusivity, representation, and democratisation.
India has been at the forefront of advocating for shared responsibilities and collaboration during challenging times, and it’s permanent membership in the United Nations Security Council would be the reform’s loudest advocate.
India has been at the forefront of advocating for shared responsibilities and collaboration during challenging times, and it’s permanent membership in the United Nations Security Council would be the reform’s loudest advocate. India is requesting permanent membership in the UNSC through multilateral diplomacy, joining groups like the G4 Nations and IBSA (India-Brazil-South Africa) (Brazil-Germany-India-Japan).
The country has been actively pursuing UNSC permanent membership with veto power ever since PM Modi took office.
During his Saudi Arabia visit to the Gulf Kingdom, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said that India has a convincing case for permanent membership in the United Nations Security Council, and the principal U.N. organ must adapt to changing global conditions not only to meet its objectives of maintaining international security but also to remain relevant.
The minister added that there is broad global agreement on the need to reform the Council, particularly because it does not reflect global realities, with many arguing that an expanded Council is beneficial not only to India but also to other underrepresented areas.
Besides, the nation’s request for permanent membership in the UNSC should be approved because of its long-standing historical ties to the UN and its current position in the international community.
India also upholds the Panchsheel concept, whose applicability never fades. Mutual respect for each other’s sovereignties, non-aggression, non-interference, equality, and peaceful coexistence form the foundation of the Panchsheel principle, which has the potential to be very important to the UN Charter in order to jointly work for peace and security.
Notably, India also upholds the Panchsheel concept, whose applicability never fades. Mutual respect for each other’s sovereignties, non-aggression, non-interference, equality, and peaceful coexistence form the foundation of the Panchsheel principle, which has the potential to be very important to the UN Charter in order to jointly work for peace and security. The principles of panchsheel can be the foundation for non-violence, non-interference, and peaceful cohabitation.
In addition, the country’s dedication to non-violence and disarmament can significantly benefit the UN. India supports transparent, nondiscriminatory labor practices in international organizations and has repeatedly reaffirmed its position as a responsible nuclear weapons state, as well as its deterrence to non-use against non-nuclear states and no first use, and has also frequently criticised the Non-proliferation Treaty (NPT) for its discriminatory and undemocratic nature .
India has also been an active participant in international events and agreements, including the UN peacekeeping operation, development objectives, sustainable development, climate change, and anti-terrorism. More than 200,000 Indian officers have served in UN peacekeeping deployments.
The nation has also assisted the UN in tackling global issues including terrorism, climate change, energy security, the refugee crisis, pandemics, and reforming the current international economic system, which is all the more reason that India should be a permanent member of the UNSC.
edited and proofread by nikita sharma
