India and Security Council membership

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India has intensified its campaign efforts in the United Nations General Assembly to win a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council, for a two-year rotating term (2028-2029). The Security Council includes five permanent members who have veto power, in addition to ten non-permanent members who hold their seats for a specific period of two years, taking into account the representation of the various blocs. However, India's focus now is on winning a non-permanent seat, as this seat will allow it to exercise diplomatic influence and represent the interests and needs of countries in the Global South. During the recent UN General Assembly meeting, India stressed the need for the UN body to better represent the countries of the Global South. The main criticisms that India directs at the United Nations are that the organization does not reflect the changing reality of the global system, and that emerging economies and countries of the Global South do not have sufficient representation, as India believes that the Security Council is no longer keeping pace with the current reality of international blocs.

Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, who represented his country at the event, stressed the importance of amplifying the voice of the countries of the Global South and resolving existing disputes in the interest of the world. He also stressed that addressing today's conflicts and global inequalities can only be achieved through peace, cooperation, development, respect for national diversity, and reform of the international system in a way that gives a stronger voice to the countries of the Global South.

India's message during this international forum was the need for the world to shift away from conflicts, confrontations, and competition based on the principle of “one side wins and the other loses,” and toward peace, cooperation, comprehensive development, and a more representative multilateral system. Membership in the Security Council is of special importance for India at a time when the world is facing multiple challenges. However, its winning the seat this time will not be guaranteed or automatic, given that Tajikistan, which is seeking to join the Security Council for the first time, enjoys the support of a number of international blocs, while India has a large balance of acceptance and diplomatic support thanks to its previous membership in the Council for eight sessions.

Not only is India one of the world's fastest growing economies, it is also one of the largest cumulative contributors to UN peacekeeping missions, having sent more than 300,000 personnel to participate in more than 50 missions since 1948.

The Indian campaign is centered around the Shanti Initiative, an acronym for “Securing Inclusive Progress through Rules, Trust and Integrity.” The campaign stresses the importance of international rules. The competition for India's non-permanent seat is also linked to a broader effort to expand permanent seats on the Security Council. Membership in the Security Council is of great importance to India, as it is one of the most important organs of the United Nations. In the past, New Delhi has helped other countries include their issues on the Council’s agenda, and has also worked with permanent members to advance an agenda that serves the interests of the “Global South.” However, there is a broader and larger goal, which is to move forward in a decades-long campaign for permanent membership in the Security Council. India sees a non-permanent seat as an opportunity to exercise diplomatic influence, represent the “Global South”, guide the course of discussions, and advance its efforts to obtain a permanent seat. India is part of the “Group of Four” - which also includes Japan and Germany - which has long called for an expansion of the Security Council.

Likewise, African countries are also demanding representation, all of which argue that the world has changed since 1945 when the United Nations and Security Council were established, and that large parts of the world lack adequate representation. This reform is a major demand sought by India in particular, as the most populous country and the fastest growing economy. However, the five permanent members sought to protect their influence. Many questions have been raised about the effectiveness of the United Nations and the Security Council in light of the increasing fragmentation of the global system, and the emergence of indications that countries such as the United States are moving away from the multilateral approach.

However, as the 81st session of the General Assembly emphasized, the United Nations remains a vitally important international body, where speakers presented their views and diplomacy continued on the margins of the meetings. In light of this, describing the United Nations as an expired body does not stand up to reality, and the only way forward remains to reform the organization.