Introduction
India’s desire for permanent membership in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) is a long-term foreign policy goal that arises from India’s rising regional and global status and desire to see more significant reform of the current international system. Forcing India to recognize the UNSC as inadequate to meet the needs of the contemporary world and not corresponding to the actual distribution of power in the modern world, it points to itself as an example of the fact that in the contemporary world, such changes are necessary. India’s membership in the UNSC will work to its benefit and benefit many people from developing nations in the Global South.
The United Nations Security Council is one of the six principal organizations of the United Nations Charter and was founded in 1945. The UNSC comprises 15 members: the five permanent members with veto power: United States, United Kingdom, France, Russia, and China, and 10 non-standing members elected for two years. India kicked off the campaign for its permanent membership in the early nineties as it wanted the UN to mirror the post–Cold War world. India holds the view, as does Brazil and South Africa, that the UN Security Council structure created after World War II is archaic and inadequate for the twenty-first century.
Recent Development
However, India’s bid to acquire permanent membership has been recently actively supported. On September 24, 2024, US President Joe Biden can be seen expressing his support for India’s bid at the G20 Summit in Delhi with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Biden’s support is a part of increasing global acknowledgment of the country’s rising power. Other nations have begun supporting India’s bid for the UNSC in its latest term, with nations like Japan, Germany, and Brazil endorsing it. This is further supported by its contribution to peacekeeping worldwide, its economic prowess, and its position as a leader in combating causes such as climate change and global health. The UNSC has been described as urgently needing an extension, despite its age and conspicuous lack of organizational democracy, for the present structure of the UNSC depends on the leftover colonial polarity.
The opposition has it that although the P5 wields influence, the group’s decisions usually serve their or the bloc’s interests, distorting global governance balance. This feature has seen several advocacies for change in the systems, with suggestions for modifications periodically put forward. Some of the members of G 4 nations, including India, Brazil, Germany, and Japan, have been the most active in advocating the support of the increase in the council membership with more permanent members. They argue that owing to their significant populations, huge economic base, and active participation in maintaining international peace and security, they deserve these positions.
However, there is the Uniting for Consensus group, which used to be known as The Coffee Club, which has a different vision. They want to expand the number of non-permanent members, i.e., Italy, Pakistan, and Colombia while preventing the admission of new permanent members. Their position is premised on the belief that such a step would increase the region’s participation level and cut short the stalemate customarily brought about by the veto power. The G4 and the Uniting for Consensus have taken opposing stances on the reform, only widening the gap at UNSC. Although both initiatives want reform, their differences have led to indecision and underline the problems of changing one of the world’s most influential organizations. The fact remains that the prospects for increasing the representativeness of the UNSC are discussed against the background of regional and global changes in power relations.
India’s Role in UN Peacekeeping Operations
India today plays a significant role in United Nations peacekeeping missions and has contributed more personnel to these operations than any other nation of the world since these were initiated. In only sixty years since 1948, India has sent more than 275000 to 287000 troops to over 49 missions and is still a key contributor to the UN peacekeeping missions. India has also contributed its might in terms of peacekeeping operations, and thousands of Indians have sacrificed their lives, though the actual figures state about 160 to 179 soldiers. India remains an engaged contributor with information identifying nearly 5,900 military personnel in 12 ongoing missions: UNIFIL, Lebanon; UNMISS, South Sudan; UNDOF, Golan Heights, and others. The nation continues to be committed to the UN’s missions, and this is evident through their offering of 15 Force Commanders for the different UN missions, indicative of the leadership this country plays in the peacekeeping missions.
Besides the contingent deployment, India pays due importance to peacekeeping capacity/ capability building as a training facility is available at the Centre for United Nations Peacekeeping, New Delhi. They are intended to improve not only the functioning of several UN missions but also the countries that host them as well. Indian Armed Forces have committed additional support by providing one Infantry Battalion Group and building exceptional capacity for the UN peacekeepers in the future years. Indian peacekeeping efforts are acclaimed for being professional and coherent, even under challenging operations. This service tradition is consistent with India’s general foreign policy as one of the world’s leading peace-keeping nations and its enhanced role in the United Nations organization.
Issues at Large and Support
Several challenges are on its way toward obtaining a permanent seat in the UNSC. The main challenge is that China will not back India due to rivalry and their current border conflict. Furthermore, other countries, mainly from the member nations of Uniting for Consensus (UfC), have recommended India a membership without any veto power, which they had also turned down. Newcomers must have veto power. India said this is basic because it is part of the existing makeup of the UN Security Council. Besides, there are concerns within the West over India’s ability to have a sovereign foreign policy and passive stance on the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Critical questions emerge over its place within the Western-led block.
From the above discussion, it is clear that India’s candidature for the UNSC reform has received endorsement from numerous multi-lateral groups and alliances. The four G4 nations, namely India, Brazil, Germany, and Japan, have specifically demanded an increase in permanent seats at the UNSC. India has also coordinated with the African Union, which has raised the voice of demanding more African countries in the UNSC. Some of the world’s powerhouses, like the United States, officially supported India’s candidature, while countries like the United Kingdom and France have shown their support too. However, the problem is how to get around this stubbornness of P5 members, especially China and Russia, which have much to lose from any transformation that may lessen their power. Some stakeholders in the UNSC reform process include the current five permanent members of the Security Council, the ten non-permanent members of the Security Council, and any other countries that support the reform, for instance, India, Brazil, Japan, and South Africa. The Global South, comprising Africa, Latin America, and Asia, is another critical stakeholder because those regions want a louder say in the world. Even more crucial to the likely outcome of the India bid are major regional powers, such as China and Russia, which are notorious for lacking support for reforms. The United States of America also has pre-stake, as being a close ally of India can convince other countries to agree on India’s admittance.
Proposals
Several proposals have been put forward to address the issue of UNSC reform. One proposal is to expand the number of permanent members to include emerging powers like India, Brazil, and Japan while also considering including African countries. Another proposal is to introduce a system where new permanent members would have veto power, ensuring that the balance of power in the UNSC remains intact. Some reform advocates have suggested increasing the number of non-permanent members to make the UNSC more representative and accountable. However, these proposals face significant opposition from countries like China, which seeks to maintain its regional dominance.
Possible Future Developments
The future of India’s bid for permanent membership in the UNSC will depend on several factors, including the geopolitical dynamics between the P5 members and the growing support for UNSC reform from the Global South. The increasing recognition of India’s economic and political influence and its growing participation in peacekeeping missions and multilateral organizations may pave the way for its eventual inclusion. However, China’s opposition remains a significant obstacle, and India may need to engage in more strategic diplomacy to overcome this challenge. It is also possible that incremental reforms, such as expanding the number of non-permanent members or revising the veto power structure, could create a pathway for India’s eventual inclusion.India’s approach to securing a permanent seat in the UNSC should focus on strengthening its diplomatic alliances with countries that support its candidacy, particularly the United States, Japan, and Brazil. India should explore potential compromises on the veto power issue to gain broader support for its bid. A more inclusive and representative UNSC will require India to balance its national interests with the demands of other nations.
Conclusion
India’s bid for permanent membership in the UNSC is a critical step toward achieving a more representative and equitable global governance system. While significant challenges remain, including opposition from China and concerns about India’s alignment with Western priorities, the growing support for India’s candidacy from the Global South and other key players indicates that the momentum for UNSC reform is building. India’s inclusion in the UNSC as a permanent member would enhance its global standing and contribute to a more inclusive world order, ensuring that the voices of developing nations are heard in the decision-making processes that shape the future of international peace and security.
