India's rightful demand for a UNSC permanent seat and the obstacles
The Council Seat ::
A seat in the United Nation Security Council (UNSC) is a position of power which gives you the potential to secure and maintain your national interest in this dynamic and uncertain world. In addition, it gives the talent and opportunity to play with the worlds geopolitics, economics, crisis, threats and policies.
India has been actively perusing its quest for permanent membership at the United Nations. Being a vibrant democracy, with 1.25 billion people, trusted by Islamic states, major contributor for peacekeeping missions, space power, fastest growing economy, a strong militarily and a responsible nuclear weapon state, we have every right to desire for a permanent seat at the high table.
The Veto Play ::
Many argue that India shouldn’t strive for more influence and power and instead it should focus on more important things like poverty, development, economy etc. Well in simple words, a seat at the UNSC will help us in achieve all our ambitions. Let’s talk about our past experience in this regard when we vetoed WTO’s reforms on custom procedure called Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) last year. We blocked the TFA because it was not giving us the needed freedom to subsidise and stockpile the food for our poor. The agreement concluded only after the US agreed to our terms and we achieved full food security for our people.
Veto gives the power and strength to stand against the world so that they can’t press their policies on us.
The Obstacles ::
Even though geopolitical realities have changed drastically since 1945, when the setup of UN was decided, the council changed very little. Still there are many powers who don't want to see India succeed in getting a permanent seat.
1. China ::
Though China has officially expressed its support for increased Indian role at UN, it's position on India’s bid has always been ambiguous. China hates Japan and wants India to stop supporting Japan. But as impossible as it may sound, if India were to stop supporting Japan, the Chinese would still not agree to give us a permanent seat in the security council because it can’t afford to sustain India’s growing influence and doesn’t want us to be a counterweight in Asia.
2. Pakistan ::
Naturally, Pakistan will and compulsorily have to oppose India because of six decades of animosity and rivalry between the two countries. Pakistan's denial to India at the UN does not bother New Delhi to a great extent because of very limited to almost zero Pakistani diplomatic influence in the region. In comparison to a strong & resurgent India, Pakistan has almost no clout in South Asia and beyond.
3. Permanent members (P5) ::
Though the US, UK, Russia and France openly support India’s bid for a permanent seat at the UN, the reality is quite different. The P5 are more than happy to see UN reforms move at near zero velocity. The world recently saw a gist of their intentions when the US teamed up with China and Russia to oppose the negotiations for changes in the body.
4. The Uniting for Consensus (UFC) group ::
The UFC constitutes of 13 member states supported by some one forth of the UN members including China which is a permanent member . It was founded by 4 countries including Pakistan. The UFC group is created mainly by countries neighboring the G4 nations (Brazil, Germany, India, and Japan). Their goal is to expand only non-permanent membership and are against G4 demands.
Current Challenge ::
India is possibly the most deserving and the least controversial option for a UNSC permanent seat. There is very slim chance that India will gain a permanent seat anytime soon inspite of India pushing for text based negotiations at the UN General Assembly (UNGA) as a step to move forward the agenda of UNSC reform. Now the UNGA has resolved to commence such negotiations in the 70th UNGA sesion. In reality, this is just the start of a long process with no visible closure date.
As of now we have to focus on our priorities and constantly work for our position at the United Nations.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Article written by Tejaswi Singh (Pune) exclusively for Defence News.
B. E. in Instrumentation & Control
Email address: tejaswisingh29@gmail.com
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SOURCE >>
A seat in the United Nation Security Council (UNSC) is a position of power which gives you the potential to secure and maintain your national interest in this dynamic and uncertain world. In addition, it gives the talent and opportunity to play with the worlds geopolitics, economics, crisis, threats and policies.
India has been actively perusing its quest for permanent membership at the United Nations. Being a vibrant democracy, with 1.25 billion people, trusted by Islamic states, major contributor for peacekeeping missions, space power, fastest growing economy, a strong militarily and a responsible nuclear weapon state, we have every right to desire for a permanent seat at the high table.
The Veto Play ::
Many argue that India shouldn’t strive for more influence and power and instead it should focus on more important things like poverty, development, economy etc. Well in simple words, a seat at the UNSC will help us in achieve all our ambitions. Let’s talk about our past experience in this regard when we vetoed WTO’s reforms on custom procedure called Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) last year. We blocked the TFA because it was not giving us the needed freedom to subsidise and stockpile the food for our poor. The agreement concluded only after the US agreed to our terms and we achieved full food security for our people.
Veto gives the power and strength to stand against the world so that they can’t press their policies on us.
The Obstacles ::
Even though geopolitical realities have changed drastically since 1945, when the setup of UN was decided, the council changed very little. Still there are many powers who don't want to see India succeed in getting a permanent seat.
1. China ::
Though China has officially expressed its support for increased Indian role at UN, it's position on India’s bid has always been ambiguous. China hates Japan and wants India to stop supporting Japan. But as impossible as it may sound, if India were to stop supporting Japan, the Chinese would still not agree to give us a permanent seat in the security council because it can’t afford to sustain India’s growing influence and doesn’t want us to be a counterweight in Asia.
2. Pakistan ::
Naturally, Pakistan will and compulsorily have to oppose India because of six decades of animosity and rivalry between the two countries. Pakistan's denial to India at the UN does not bother New Delhi to a great extent because of very limited to almost zero Pakistani diplomatic influence in the region. In comparison to a strong & resurgent India, Pakistan has almost no clout in South Asia and beyond.
3. Permanent members (P5) ::
Though the US, UK, Russia and France openly support India’s bid for a permanent seat at the UN, the reality is quite different. The P5 are more than happy to see UN reforms move at near zero velocity. The world recently saw a gist of their intentions when the US teamed up with China and Russia to oppose the negotiations for changes in the body.
4. The Uniting for Consensus (UFC) group ::
The UFC constitutes of 13 member states supported by some one forth of the UN members including China which is a permanent member . It was founded by 4 countries including Pakistan. The UFC group is created mainly by countries neighboring the G4 nations (Brazil, Germany, India, and Japan). Their goal is to expand only non-permanent membership and are against G4 demands.
Current Challenge ::
India is possibly the most deserving and the least controversial option for a UNSC permanent seat. There is very slim chance that India will gain a permanent seat anytime soon inspite of India pushing for text based negotiations at the UN General Assembly (UNGA) as a step to move forward the agenda of UNSC reform. Now the UNGA has resolved to commence such negotiations in the 70th UNGA sesion. In reality, this is just the start of a long process with no visible closure date.
As of now we have to focus on our priorities and constantly work for our position at the United Nations.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Article written by Tejaswi Singh (Pune) exclusively for Defence News.
B. E. in Instrumentation & Control
Email address: tejaswisingh29@gmail.com
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SOURCE >>
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