UNSC Membership: Quest for Permanent Seat

This article talks about the UNSC membership and quest of G4 group for the permanent seat membership in United Nations Security Council (UNSC). It discusses the ground for candidature and claims of India. What are the hurdles and what is the way forward for acquiring permanent membership in UNSC?

Introduction to United Nations

Composition of UNSC

What is the issue about UNSC Membership?

Claim of India for UNSC Membership

Why it is Required?

Progress in UNSC Reforms

What are the hurdles for acquiring Permanent UNSC Membership?

What can be done? 

Introduction to United Nations

United Nations, a successor of League of Nations, is a group of nations and is involved in taking care of variety of global issues. It was formed in 1945 after Second World War. It pursues its actions based on UN Charter with the objective of resolving global issues in favour of humanity.  It has five organs:

1. United Nations General Assembly (UNGA)
2. United Nations Security Council (UNSC)
3. United Nations Secretariat
4. Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)
5. International Court of Justice (ICJ)

Except ICJ, all other organs of UN are located at New York in USA. ICJ is located at Hague, Netherlands.

Composition of UNSC

At present, UN has 193 members. One of the most important organs of United Nations is United Nations Security Council which is responsible for maintaining peace and order. UNSC is composed of five permanent members and ten non-permanent members. Five countries holding permanent UNSC membership are United States of America, United Kingdom, France, China and Japan. Ten non permanent members are on the rotation basis. Each of them presides in UNSC for one month on rotation basis.

What is the issue  about UNSC Membership?

There are only five permanent members in United Nations Security Council since its formation in 1945. They are collectively called as P5 nations. All of them have veto power by using which they can impact the decision of UN. At that time, global scenario was different. Over time, global power equations have changed. There are some countries who claim them to be included in group of permanent members because of their economic might, soft powers and other capabilities. India is one such country. In its quest for permanent seat in UN Security Council, India formed a group called G4 along with other three potential claimants which are Japan, Germany and Brazil. All of these four countries are advocating for their permanent seats in the council but are opposed by some other nations.

P5 Members	Corresponding Opponents
India	China, Pakistan
Germany	France, Spain, Italy
Japan	China, South Korea
Brazil	Argentina, Mexico

Apart from issue of permanent seats, there is one more issue of non-representation in permanent membership of UNSC. Africa, Arabic world and Latin America are not represented at all in United Nations Security Council. This means that there are no countries from there continents in permanent seats. Thus, overall UNSC reforms are required in line with the rising demands and current scenario.

Claim of India for UNSC Membership

The claim of India for UNSC permanent seat is justified on the following grounds:

1. Due to its large population, India is a representative of one sixth of global population.
2. India is an emerging economic power. This economic might is reflected in substantial funding of UN by India.
3. In several missions of UN, India has been consistently sending its troops.
4. The country respect and always uphold UN principles and credentials.
5. This nation has capacity to act independently and has a voice to take its own stand in its foreign policy irrespective of what others stands are.
6. Overall, India’s clout in UN has increased substantially in different aspects whether it is about election of judges of ICJ or an initiative of International Yoga Day. Wherever India takes a lead, it succeeds.

Above arguments suggest that India has always been a right claimant of a permanent seat in the council.

Why it is Required?

India wants to protect its interests in global issues. For doing so, a permanent seat in UN is an important tool. It is helpful for a country in saving itself in critical moments like the issue of Kashmir. Thus, in order to be heard by international community, India needs permanent membership in United Nations Security Council.

Progress in UNSC Reforms

In 2015, UN General Assembly took a landmark decision to introduce a resolution for expansion of UNSC. In 2016, ambassador of India in United Nations stated that the grouping is eager to take forward the issue of UN reforms. Still after passage of four years from resolution, even now no progress is visible on the matter.

What are the hurdles for acquiring Permanent UNSC Membership?

1. France is a permanent seat holder and is openly supporting India. And other members gave only verbal support for reforms.
2. Diplomats blame P5 countries for misusing their veto power and accuse UNSC for acting in a selective manner.
3. Global hierarchies are changing. Western powers are declining. It is well evident historically that declining powers do not give up easily.
4. Diplomats also argue that there is a lack of aggressive stand by India.
5. China has been continuously scuttling the efforts of India at UNSC.
6. At the end of day, they do not want to expand and desire to continue as an exclusive club.
7. Africa is divided on the issue of choice of African country as representative in United Nations Security Council from African continent. This is also a stumbling block in progress of reforms as the question is that who will choose African representative.

What can be done? 

India should adopt aggressive campaign especially in other organs of United Nations so that the resolution for expansion of permanent UNSC membership can be made effective. Though, India is a strong candidate and able to mobilize other countries in its favour as demonstrated in recent informal meeting at UNSC about Kashmir, still India need to further expand its wings diplomatically, strategically, economically, militarily. Reform at UNSC is a long process and has become more important than reality. Even former PM Dr. ManMohan Singh once said that India if increase it's GDP in 10 years then UN will call itself for a permanent seat of India. So India should focus on its development.    

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