France, U.K. reiterates support for India as permanent UNSC member

Recently, France and the United Kingdom, the two veto-wielding permanent members of the Security Council, reiterated their support for a permanent seat for India at an open debate including India and UNSC members.

About the event:

• India joined at United Nations to preside over two signature events on counter-terrorism and reformed multilateralism being held under India’s current Presidency of the N. Security Council (UNSC) on December 13.
• Chaired by:  India’s External Affairs Minister Jaishankar.
• Theme: ‘Maintenance of International Peace and Security: New Orientation for Reformed Multilateralism’
• At the event, France supported for Brazil, Germany, India and Japan, and permanent African representation under UNSC.
• U. K. also support for new permanent seats for Brazil, Germany, India and Japan, and African nations.

The United Nations Security Council (UNSC):

• The United Nations Charter established six main organs of the United Nations, including the Security Council.
• It gives primary responsibility for maintaining international peace and security to the Security Council.
• All members of the United Nations agree to accept and carry out the decisions of the Security Council. 
• While other organs of the United Nations make recommendations to member states, only the Security Council has the power to make decisions that member states are then obligated to implement under the Charter.

India and UNSC membership:

• In its quest for global peace and security, India has played a leadership role in the United Nations General Assembly and in the Security Council. India has been a non-permanent Member of the UN Security Council seven timessince 1950-51.
• Due to some important reasons, India decided to pursue its candidature for 2021-22, else, by rotation, that seat would have reached India only in the 2030s.

India’s Quest for Permanent Seat at UNSC:

Permanent membership of the Security Council is an important and legitimate aspiration for India in order to play its rightful role in the maintenance of international peace and security. This can be substantiated through the following points:

• India was one of the first countries to raise the issue of apartheid in South Africaat the United Nations and was one of the earliest signatories to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination in 1965
• India’s nuclear doctrineat the United Nations is in consonance with its commitment to achieve global disarmament and maintain international peace and security. India is the only nuclear weapons state to demand total elimination of nuclear weapons.
• India's international identity has long been shaped by its role in N. peacekeeping, with more than 100,000 Indian troops having served in U.N. missions during the past 50 years.
• India has an independent capability to place satellites in orbit, including production of the necessary launch vehicle
• India's bid for permanent membership of UNSC is backed by 4 Permanent Members, namely France, Russia, the United Kingdom and United States.

Argument in support of India’s candidature:

• Unique Role Played by India: In the present scenario, there is near-complete polarization among the permanent members, with the U.S., the U.K. and France on one side, and Russia and China on the other. India’s ability to work with both sides holds crucial importance for the functioning of UNSC.
• Sentimental Value: The year 2022, marks 75^thyear of Indian Independence and a place in UNSC would add to the planned celebrations.
• Strategic Concerns: India has faced many trade and security challenges from China, US and Pakistan recently. India would be able to voice its concerns and seek for its redressal by the international community. Moreover, India will be hosting the G-20 meetingin New Delhi in 2022.