UNSC – INTERNATIONAL
News:
India, Bangladesh pledge ‘reciprocal support’ for UNSC non-permanent membership
What's in the news?
● India
and Bangladesh agreed to support each other’s non-permanent membership at the
UN Security Council.
UNSC:
● UNSC
is one of six principal organs of the United Nations Organization (UNO).
● Its
mandate is to maintain international
peace and security.
● UNSC has 15 members,
including five permanent viz. China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the
United States.
● Each
of the five permanent members has veto
power.
● 10
non-permanent members are elected for two-year
terms each.
How non permanent members got elected to UNSC?
● The
General Assembly elects each year five
non-permanent members of the Security Council. (two year term per member)
● Non-permanent
members of the Council should be elected according to the following pattern:
○ Five
from African and Asian States;
○ One
from Eastern European States;
○ Two
from Latin American States;
○ Two
from Western European and other States.
● The
present non permanent members were Albania, Brazil, Gabon, Ghana, India,
Ireland, Kenya, Mexico, Norway, United Arab Emirates.
Powers of UNSC:
Its
powers include
● Establishment
of peacekeeping operations
● Imposing
international sanctions
● Authorization
of collective military action through resolutions.
It
is the only UN body with the authority
to issue binding resolutions to member states.
Issues of Permanent Membership of UNSC:
1. Concentration of powers:
UN represents a larger world. Only 5 permanent members in such an important
body has led to concentration of powers.
2. New Realities:
Current composition of the Security Council represents the post World War II
realities. Thus it is not in pace with the changing balance of power in the
world. Reforms are needed.
3. Emergence of new powers:
At the time of the formation of UNSC, big powers were given powers for
councils’ proper functioning. Rise of G4 (India, Brazil, Germany, and Japan) as
important economies and emerging world powers demand UN Security Council
reforms.
4. No Representation: The
regions like far East Asia, South America, Africa have no representation in the
permanent membership of the council.
5. Serious Consequences:
Its powers to establish international sanctions, and the authorization of
military action through Security Council resolutions which are binding to
member states can have serious consequences on economies.
6. Veto Power:
Another criticism of the Security Council is the veto power of the five
permanent members. One country’s objection, rather than the opinions of a
majority of countries, may prevent any possible UN response to a crisis. Recent
case of Masood Azhar which was vetoed by China is an example of this.
7. Lack of transparency:
The permanent members meet privately and then present their resolutions to the
full council, behaving like a private club who secretly come to a decision.
This leads to opacity in decision making.
Criticism of UNSC:
● It
has been criticized for losing
relevance, credibility and narrow leadership.
● Due
to the differences among the P-5 and
other countries, the UN is losing coherence and focusing on issues of priority
to all member states.
● The
council’s lack of multilateralism has
also been criticized in the wake of the Syrian war crisis and the ongoing
Covid-19 pandemic.
● No veto rights leave the
non-permanent members toothless as they cannot
assert their will on any matter of international concern and can merely
persuade or dissuade other member states.
● India
has also constantly pointed to the lack of movement on reforms in the UNSC.
Need for UN Reforms:
1. Equitable World Order: There
is a need for a more equitable world in order to uphold the principles of
democracy at the global level.
2. Inclusivity:
Developing countries like the African countries, need to be made stakeholders
in the multilateral institutions and involved in the decision-making process.
3. Mitigation of New Threats:
With rising protectionism, increased incidents of terrorism and the threat of
climate change, the multilateral system must become more resilient and
responsive.
4. Membership of UNSC:
● Since
its inception, the UNSC has been enlarged only once.
● Even
after that, P-5 has remained fixed, which is problematic as the membership of
the UN has grown almost four times since its formation.
5. Veto Power: It
has been the exclusive domain of P-5 members, which has been questioned by a
lot of members. Many countries have put question marks on the existence of
veto, which is contrary to democratic principles.
6. Methods of Working:
For example, before a document is adopted, each document must be translated into
six languages, which mostly leads to discussions on the accuracy of these
languages. This process has many times delayed the adoption of texts in the UN.
India’s Claims to get a Permanent Membership of UNSC:
1. Membership:
India is not only a member of G77, but also partially in the G7 and G20.
2. Interests of developing countries:
India shares warm strategic, economic, political and cultural relations with
most of the G7 countries, but also voices for the interests of developing
countries.
3. Global benefits:
● By
actively working toward attaining climate goals herself, without waiting for
all others to join, India has shown leadership capacities for the global
benefits.
● Even
the concept of make in India is suffixed with “make for the world”.
● India’s
pool of skill and talent is a proven global asset.
● India
is not only an ancient & civilization nation, but also a democracy which
operates under the rule of law with free markets and has maintained a
peace-loving nation’s reputation, with very limited geography of conflicts.
4. Role in international affairs: The
recent global supply chain disruption, pandemic, climate change, renewable
energy and now the incipient food issue, the security situation in some parts
of the world- all desire & require India to play a larger role in
international affairs and cooperation.
5. Equitable world order:
There is a need for a more equitable world order to uphold the principles of
democracy at the global level.
6. Pressure from G4 member:
India has been seeking a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council
as a member of the G4 which is an organisation composed of Brazil, Germany,
Japan, and India, all who are currently seeking permanent representation.
7. Supporters:
The Russian Federation, United States, United Kingdom and France support India
and the other G4 countries gaining permanent seats.
8. Justified Demand:
India makes a number of claims to justify its demand.
● India
has the world's second largest
population and is the world's largest liberal democracy.
● It
is also the world's fifth largest
economy and third largest in terms of purchasing power parity as of 2020
making it an emerging economic power.
● India
is the largest contributor of troops to
United Nations peacekeeping missions with 7,860 personnel deployed with ten
UN Peacekeeping Missions as of 2014 after Bangladesh and Pakistan, all three
nations being in South Asia.
● India
has contributed more than 180,000 troops, the largest number from any country,
participated in more than 43 missions and 156 Indian peacekeepers have made the
supreme sacrifice while serving in UN missions.
● Among
the founding members of the U.N.
● Always
upheld its principles and credentials while some other countries consider the organization
as merely a talk shop.
● An
independent foreign policy which is
very often not in sync with that of the five permanent members of UNSC (P5).
Ex.: At first, India opposed authorizing the use of force in Libya and then
abstained from voting on the matter.
How important is UNSC Permanent Membership to India?
● By
inclusion into UNSC as a permanent member India will be able to tackle China more comprehensively.
● India
will be able to work better for its interests.
● India’s
presence as a permanent member will be an acknowledgment of its rise as a global power, ready to play a key role
in the council’s objectives of international peace and security.
● India
will be able to enjoy the ‘prestige’ associated with the permanent membership
of the council.
● It
will help India to get involved more on the international platform and will
help its diplomatic missions.
Challenges for India’s Bid:
1. Lack of Political Will:
Although there is a general agreement towards change in the system, different
countries have different perceptions of the requirement for change.
2. Coffee Club:
It is an informal group comprising 40-odd member states, mostly middle-sized
states who oppose bigger regional powers grabbing permanent seats, has been
instrumental in holding back reforms to the United Nations Security Council
over the past six years.
3. Chinese Opposition:
China being a permanent member blocks the growth of India becoming a Permanent
Member.
4. Growth Trajectory of India:
India’s socio economic growth could become a question in making it a permanent
member.
WAY FORWARD:
● There
is a need to maintain a rules-based,
multilateral system to face today's many ongoing crises.
● There
is a need to generate more focused attention and serve as a call for action in
situations where global responses have been insufficient, and poorly coordinated.
● India
has continuously supported the Least Developing Countries (LDCs) of Africa and
Small Island nations in their developmental efforts, which has led to the
development of India’s image as a benevolent and friendly country. This could
be used as leverage for India’s demand for a reformed UNSC.
● India
has been the most elected member of the UNSC outside the P5. This position can
be leveraged to show India’s eagerness and maturity to be recognized as a
responsible global power.
● India
needs to build upon its strengths through a diplomatic outreach to the major nations with whom it has friendly
relations.
Thus
India’s entry as a permanent member is important not only for India but also
for the whole world for better
distribution of powers.