India at UNSC: An Opportunity for Better Outcomes

India at UNSC: An Opportunity for Better Outcomes

India, the biggest democracy in Asia, has been elected as a Non-permanent Representative to the United Nations Security Council for a two-year term beginning in 2021.

What is UNSC?

The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) is one of the six principal organs of the United Nations (UN), charged with ensuring international peace and security, recommending the admission of new UN members to the General Assembly, and approving any changes to the UN Charter.

What is significance of UNSC?

The purpose of the UNSC is to maintain world peace and security, prevent conflicts between nations, encourage cooperation among nations, and provide avenues for redress when a nation is sanctioned by another state or another organization for behavior that affects peace and security.

India and UNSC

India is one of the UN's smallest but most influential members. Its votes entitle it to speak or consult on United Nations issues and resolutions, as well as to take part in important decisions on issues concerning peace and security in the Asia-Pacific region.

India was elected unopposed to the UNSC as a non-permanent member for a two-year term beginning in 2021, thus completing its formal membership in the UN.

India's membership in the Security Council gives it the right to vote on issues on which it takes a permanent position. This includes resolutions on human rights, freedom of expression and support for democracy; the responsibility to protect refugees and migrants; combating terrorism; nuclear non-proliferation; economic and social issues; combating poverty and human trafficking; conflict management; drug control; climate change etc.

In its recent election, India got 184 votes in total, well above the minimum of 128 votes required to represent a region at the UNSC. India has sent a total of 67 representatives to the Security Council during its six years of membership, which is a relatively low number. However, India's rise and success in international affairs is reflective of its progress and rise within the larger community of nations.

UNSC membership is generally given to countries that have met the criteria outlined in the UN Charter. India, which is a permanent member of the Security Council with veto power, was the only country that scored more than 80% in some important criteria for an election.

What are the New Opportunities for Progress

New opportunities for progress in the United Nations are becoming clear as India seeks greater participation for women and youth at all levels of the system.

India has gained a prominent position in the United Nations; its unique qualities and contribution have been recognized, and it has developed a reputation as an active participant in its member-led organizations. This has led to India's increasing relevance as a regional power and an active player at the United Nations level. Belonging to a growing dynamism at the regional level, India's growth could contribute positively to the realization of shared development goals as well as to the realization of equally old responsibilities.

New diplomatic institutions and procedures will be established, so that from day one, ambassadors and senior officials form part of the incoming leadership. But India will not be looking to become a large-scale military power. It is more concerned with taking on the daunting challenge of reform and rebuilding a broken system based on rules-based international order rather than unilateralism and accumulation of power for its own purposes.

Effective Response to International Terrorism

Terrorism is an enduring and critical threat to international peace and security.

Terrorist groups have linkages across borders, regions, and continents in recruitment, financing, and operations.

India is committed to combating this menace in all its forms and manifestations.

India will pursue concrete and result-oriented action by the Council aimed at

• Addressing the abuse of ICT by terrorists
• Disrupting their nexus with sponsors and transnational organized criminal entities
• Stemming the flow of terror finance
• Strengthening normative and operative frameworks for greater coordination with other multilateral forums