Syllabus: GS2 – Important International institutions, Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests, Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.
Source: The Hindu,12/10/2023
Application: where to apply?
When asked about
– Need for reforms in UNSC
– Issues with UNSC
– Why does India deserve to be a part of UNSC Permanent membership?
– Roadblocks to India for Permanent membership.
Content
UN Security Council
- The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) is one of the six principal organs of the United Nations (UN) established by the UN Charter in 1945.
- It has the primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security.
- The Security Council takes the lead in determining the existence of a threat to the peace or act of aggression.
- It calls upon the parties to a dispute to settle it by peaceful means and recommends methods of adjustment or terms of settlement.
- The Security Council can resort to imposing sanctions or even authorize the use of force to maintain or restore international peace and security.
- The Security Council consists of ten elected members, and five permanent members – China, the United States, France, the United Kingdom, and the Russian Federation. They are also known as the Permanent 5 or P5.
- Permanent members can veto (block) any substantive Security Council resolution, including those on the admission of new member states to the United Nations or nominees for the office of Secretary-General.
- The ten non-permanent members are elected on a regional basis for a term of two years. The body’s presidency rotates monthly among its members.
- Regional powers such as Brazil, Germany, India, Japan, Nigeria, and South Africa have sought to enlarge the Security Council or secure permanent seats of their own.
Permanent and Non-permanent Members
| Permanent members of UNSC | China, France, Russian Federation, United Kingdom and United States |
| Non-permanent members | Albania (2023), Brazil (2023), Ecuador (2024), Gabon (2023), Ghana (2023), Japan (2024), Malta (2024), Mozambique (2024), Switzerland (2024), United Arab Emirates (2023) |
Functions and Powers of the UN Security Council
- Maintain international peace and security in accordance with the principles and purposes of the United Nations.
- Investigate any dispute or situation which might lead to international friction.
- Recommend methods of adjusting such disputes or the terms of settlement.
- Formulate plans for the establishment of a system to regulate armaments.
- Determine the existence of a threat to the peace or act of aggression and to recommend what action should be taken.
- Call on Members to apply economic sanctions and other measures not involving the use of force to prevent or stop aggression.
- Take military action against an aggressor.
- Recommend the admission of new Members.
- Exercise the trusteeship functions of the United Nations in “strategic areas”
- Recommend to the General Assembly the appointment of the Secretary-General and, together with the Assembly, to elect the Judges of the International Court of Justice.
Need for Reforms within UNSC
- Undemocratic Nature: The Security Council has been unable to act with credibility due to its undemocratic nature.There are 193 member-states in the UN but only 15 members are in the Council i.e.,fewer than 8%.
- Multipolarity: The current composition of the UNSC does not align with the realities of an interconnected and multipolar world.
- Incapable of Making Decisions: The UNSC has proved itself incapable of taking any decision on major geo-political crises including in war-torn Afghanistan, Russia-Ukraine War, Israel-Palestine Issue etc.
- Misuse of Veto Power: The Veto Power allows any of these countries to halt or change any decision being discussed or taken by the council. But this power has often been used to protect the interests of these countries, sometimes at the expense of larger global causes. Eg: Russia’s increasing resort to the veto has blocked resolutions on Ukraine, Mali, Syria and North Korea.
- Rivalry within the Permanent Members: The geopolitical rivalry among the permanent members of the UNSC has often halted the effective addressing of global issues. Eg: US-Russia rivalry ,US-China trade war etc often affect the decision making process.
- Lack of Global Governance: There exist no regulatory mechanisms for global commons like the Internet, Space,High Seas etc
- No unanimity: There is no agreement on how to deal with global issues like terrorism, climate change, cybersecurity and public health.
- Encroachment on state sovereignty: Sanctions by UNSC pressurizes a State or entity to comply with the objectives set by the Security Council. This is seen as an encroachment on state sovereignty.
- Battleground for Politics: The Security Council has ceased to be the guarantor of world security and has become a battleground for the political strategies of only five countries.
- Unreflective of the 21st Century: The Security Council reflects the geopolitical realities of 1945 and not of 2023. The composition of the Council also gives undue weightage to the balance of power of those days.
Proposed reforms in UNSC
India and UN
- As a founding member of the United Nations, India strongly supports the purposes and principles of the UN and has made significant contributions to implementing the goals of the Charter, and the evolution of the UN’s specialized programmes and agencies.
- India played an active role in discussions on all issues related to international peace and security, including several challenges which the Security Council was called upon to deal with in Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, South Sudan, Syria and Yemen.
- India has been a non permanent member of the UN Security Council for eight terms(most recent-2021–22 term)
- India strongly advocates the process of reform and restructuring of the UN to make it better equipped to effectively respond to the evolving needs of its membership, particularly developing countries.
- India in collaboration with other like-minded countries actively participates in the efforts of G-4 (India, Brazil, Germany and Japan) to push forward the intergovernmental negotiations in the UN on the question of reform and expansion of the UN Security Council.
- India has contributed troops to United Nations peacekeeping efforts in Somalia, Angola, Haiti, Liberia, Lebanon,Rwanda etc.
- India is also a contributor to the UN regular budget.
Why does India deserve permanent membership?
- Global Representation: India represents one-sixth of the global population. India contains around 18% population of the world and is the most populated country.
- Founding Member: India is among the founding members of the United Nations.
- Upholding UN Principles: India strongly supports the purposes and principles of the UN and has made significant contributions in implementing the goals of the Charter.
- Peacekeeping Contribution: India has made an impressive contribution towards the UN Peacekeeping Force India has contributed more than 2,53,000 troops, the largest number from any country, participated in more than 49 missions and 175 Indian peacekeepers have made the supreme sacrifice while serving in UN missions.
- Emerging Economic Power: India is the fastest growing economic power. India is ranked 5th in world’s GDP rankings in 2023. India’s economy boasts diversity and swift growth.
- Democracy: India, as the world’s largest democracy, holds a unique position in the global political landscape. The Security Council would be a more representative body if India would be there as a permanent member.
- Nuclear Power: India is a strong nuclear power with a ‘no first use’ policy.
- Swift Action: India quickly responds to any global crisis like war, disasters etc and provides humanitarian assistance. Eg: India has provided Humanitarian aid comprising essential medicines to crisis-hit Ukraine.
- India is also eminently suited for permanent membership of the UN Security Council by objective criteria such as territorial size, GDP, economic potential, civilizational legacy, cultural diversity, political system etc.
Roadblocks to India
- Not signing NPT and CTBT: India has not signed the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) yet. Russia, the United States, and China force other nuclear powers to halt the production and testing of nuclear weapons while continuing to do so themselves. India does not want to endorse such a biased treaty.
- Veto of China: China has been standing in the way of India’s entry to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) by calling for a “package solution” that is acceptable to all.
- Low GDP per capita: India’s GDP per capita is still relatively low compared to many other countries.
- Low performance in socio-economic indicators: While India has made significant strides in various socio-economic aspects, there are still areas where improvement is needed. These include education, health, gender equality, poverty reduction, environmental sustainability etc.
- Weaponry imports from other countries: India has long been one of the world’s largest arms importers. These imports indicate a dependency on foreign nations for defense equipment, which could be seen as a limitation in terms of self-reliance and sovereignty.
Conclusion
- The reform in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) is a pressing issue that needs to be addressed to ensure a more democratic, transparent, and accountable global governance.
- The democratization of the UNSC is crucial to reflect the contemporary geopolitical realities and ensure that all member states have an equal say in decision-making processes.
- This will foster a rule-based world order where international law is respected and upheld by all nations, big or small.
- Enhancing transparency and accountability within the UNSC will not only increase its legitimacy but also promote trust among member states.
Practice Question:
The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) reform has been a long-standing demand of many countries, including India. Discuss the need for UNSC reform and evaluate the implications of India’s inclusion as a permanent member.
Reference:
- un.org security council
- A new world order: On UN reforms(The Hindu,September 23, 2020)
- India Has Strongest Chance Of Getting Permanent Seat At UNSC If New Members Added: Survey(TOI,10/01/ 2023)
- Mint Explainer: How is India pushing to reform the UN Security Council?(Mint,12 Sep 2023)
- INDIA AND UNITED NATIONS(MEA)