India’s push for permanent UN security council seat gains major momentum

PTC News Desk: UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, on Thursday, voiced his support for India’s inclusion as a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). This backing comes just days after similar endorsements from U.S. President Joe Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron. Speaking at the United Nations General Assembly’s 79th session in New York, Starmer emphasized the need for reforms to make the UNSC more representative and action-oriented, free from political paralysis.

Currently, the UNSC is made up of five permanent members and 10 non-permanent members. The five permanent members—Russia, the UK, China, France, and the United States—have veto power over substantive resolutions, which often leads to deadlock. Non-permanent members are elected by the UN General Assembly for two-year terms.

I thank President Biden for hosting me at his residence in Greenville, Delaware. Our talks were extremely fruitful. We had the opportunity to discuss regional and global issues during the meeting. @JoeBiden pic.twitter.com/WzWW3fudTn

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 21, 2024

In his address, Starmer outlined his vision for a more inclusive Security Council, calling for permanent representation from Africa, as well as expanded membership to include Brazil, India, Japan, and Germany. He also advocated for more seats for elected non-permanent members to further diversify the council’s composition.

“We want to see permanent African representation on the Council, Brazil, India, Japan, and Germany as permanent members, and more seats for elected members as well,” Starmer stated, highlighting the growing demand for a UNSC that better reflects the geopolitical landscape of the 21st century.

France and U.S. Echo Calls for Reform

Starmer’s support followed similar calls from French President Emmanuel Macron, who also emphasised the need for a reformed and more effective UNSC. Addressing the UN General Assembly on Wednesday, Macron pointed to the inefficacy of a Security Council often “blocked” by the vested interests of its current members. He argued that expanding the council’s membership would help it function more effectively and represent global realities.

French President @EmmanuelMacron reiterates France’s call for a reform of the UN Security Council that would include a permanent seat for India???????? during his address at #UNGA79 ????????:@franceonu @francediplo_EN @MEAIndia pic.twitter.com/0cIPxbWM0i

— French Embassy in India ???????????????? (@FranceinIndia) September 26, 2024

Macron reiterated France’s position in favour of expanding the UNSC to include India, Brazil, Germany, Japan, and two representatives from Africa. “As long as we have a Security Council that is blocked… we will have difficulty moving forward. Let’s make the United Nations more effective by making them more representative,” Macron said, firmly supporting India’s bid for permanent membership.

President Joe Biden also joined the chorus of international leaders advocating for India’s inclusion in the UNSC. During a bilateral meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at his Wilmington, Delaware home last week, Biden underscored U.S. support for India’s permanent membership. He emphasized that reforms to global institutions, including the UN, are necessary to accommodate India’s growing influence on the world stage.

India’s Longstanding Case for UNSC Membership

India has been pushing for permanent membership in the UNSC for decades. New Delhi argues that the current structure of the council, established in 1945, no longer reflects the geopolitical realities of the modern world. With over 1.4 billion people and a rapidly growing economy, India believes it deserves a greater role in shaping international peace and security.

India’s most recent tenure as a non-permanent member of the UNSC was during 2021-2022, a position it used to emphasise its desire for reform and permanent membership.

Global Calls for Reform and Urgency from the UN

The momentum behind India’s candidacy comes amid growing calls for reform from within the UN itself. On Sunday, during the ‘Summit of the Future,’ UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed concerns about the credibility of the current UNSC.

He labeled the council “outdated” and warned that unless its composition and working methods are reformed, its authority could continue to erode. Guterres’ remarks underscored the urgency for change to ensure the council’s effectiveness and legitimacy in global governance.

As support mounts from key global powers, India’s quest for a permanent seat at the UN Security Council appears to be gaining significant traction. With the backing of the UK, U.S., and France, India’s argument for reforming the council to reflect modern geopolitical realities is stronger than ever.

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