UNSC Membership: Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently addressed the United Nations General Assembly in New York. Meanwhile, a question has again come up as to why India has not yet become a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council. America, China, Russia, Britain and France are permanent members of the United Nations, but India has not been able to join these countries.
India has been trying to become a permanent member of the United Nations General Assembly for years, but this cannot happen until these five countries give their consent. Among these, China is considered the biggest hurdle. China does not want India to become a member of the UNSC.
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External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had said on 2 April this year that India will definitely get permanent membership of the United Nations Security Council, because there is a feeling in the world that India should get this position, but India will have to work harder for this.
Why has India not yet got permanent membership of the UN?
S Jaishankar said, “The United Nations was formed about 80 years ago, when five countries (China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States) decided among themselves that they would become permanent members of its Security Council. At that time there were a total of about 50 independent countries in the world, which has increased to about 193 over time. But these five countries have maintained their control and it is strange that we have to seek their consent for membership. Some countries agreed, some honestly put forward their position, while others are doing something else behind the scenes. This has been going on for many years.”
Jaishankar further said, ‘But now there is a feeling all over the world that this should change and India should get a permanent seat. I see that this feeling is increasing every year. We will definitely get this seat, but without hard work nothing big is ever achieved. We have to work hard.”
China is the biggest hurdle in India’s UNSC permanent membership
Of the five permanent members of the Security Council, apart from China, all the US, UK, France and Russia have supported India’s permanent membership. Being India’s close rival in regional and international politics, China is not ready to support it. China is the only Asian country that has a permanent Security Council seat. This increases its power and international prestige. China probably does not want to share this place with India.
Apart from this, there is tension on its border with India. That is why China does not want any change in the Security Council. China also has a problem with Japan. Japan is a friend of America and like India, it also wants a permanent seat. Brazil, Germany, India and Japan, these four countries help each other so that they can get a permanent seat.
China has informally indicated that it can support India, provided New Delhi does not support Japan’s claim. China knows that India will not abandon these three friends. Therefore, it considers it a safe bet to pit India against Japan.
Why does Pakistan create hurdles in UN membership?
Pakistan is a big hurdle for India’s permanent membership in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). There has been tension between India and Pakistan for years, in which Kashmir is a major issue. This tension creates a negative environment for India’s permanent membership in the UNSC.
Pakistan is accused of promoting terrorism against India, especially in Jammu and Kashmir. Whenever India seeks support for permanent membership in the UNSC, Pakistan keeps trying to weaken India’s image by raising this issue. Pakistan is considered a close ally of China. With the help of Pakistan, China strengthens its position against giving India permanent membership in the UNSC.
Pakistan has always been raising various issues against India in the United Nations, such as human rights violations, terrorism, etc. This weakens India’s image and weakens India’s demand for permanent membership in the UNSC. Pakistan keeps trying to pit other countries against India. It makes statements against India on international forums and tries to tell other countries that India is not eligible for the UNSC.
Another big reason is that if India gets veto power in the UNSC then it will become more influential in international affairs and can become a threat to Pakistan’s interests.
What problem does Turkey have with India?
Everyone knows that Pakistan opposes India’s permanent membership in the UNSC, but Turkey’s opposition is not talked about often. In fact, Turkey supports Pakistan against India. Pakistan and Turkey have close relations. Turkey often stands with Pakistan, which helps in weakening India’s demand for permanent membership. Even Turkey supports Pakistan on the Kashmir issue.
Turkey considers itself a leading Islamic country. It wants to lead the Islamic world. It feels that India becoming a permanent member of the UNSC will weaken the voice of the Islamic world. Turkey wants to increase its influence in the Middle East and Central Asia. It feels that India becoming a permanent member of the UNSC will increase India’s influence in the region, which can prove to be a challenge for Turkey.
Turkey wants to become a member of the European Union. Many countries of the European Union believe that it would be too early to make India a permanent member of the UNSC. Turkey has formed a group along with many other countries which is against increasing the number of permanent members in the UNSC. This group believes that increasing the number of permanent members in the UNSC will reduce the effectiveness of the United Nations.
However, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has also said in a statement that Turkey would be ‘proud’ if countries like India become permanent members of the UNSC. Apart from America, China, France, Russia, United Kingdom, other countries should also get the opportunity to become members of the Security Council in turn.
Work and power of the Security Council
1- The Security Council is the most powerful unit of the United Nations. Its biggest responsibility is to maintain peace and security in the whole world.
2- This organization runs peace missions which also include military action. Apart from this, it can also impose international sanctions.
3- Its power can be gauged from the fact that it can issue binding resolutions on member countries and this power is only with this institution of the United Nations.
4- Under the United Nations Charter, all member countries follow the decisions and rules of the Security Council. Currently, all five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council have veto power. Veto power means ‘prohibition power’.
5- If any permanent member does not agree with the decision of the permanent members, then he can stop that decision by using the veto. China uses its veto to stop India from joining this organization.
What is the next step for India?
Many countries believe that the United Nations needs a lot of reform. The inclusion of developed countries like India in the Security Council will be beneficial for the United Nations and the international community. But, India will have to make more efforts to respond to criticisms to make its demand more legitimate.
India has a great status in South Asia, this cannot be denied. But political tolerance is decreasing here. This affects democracy. This issue has to be resolved. India has problems like human development, economic inequality and lack of infrastructure. This affects its image in the world. Therefore, these are also many big reasons which are becoming a hindrance in the way of India getting a permanent seat in the Security Council.
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