UN security council

In this multiple world order, United Nations (UN) has acquired much weight in answering outstanding issues related to development, trade, health, education, environment security etc at global level. It is being looked as the ‘World Government’ with the responsibility of maintains peace and order and stable management of global order. The UN is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace. The UN was founded in 1945 after World War II to replace the League of Nations, to stop wars between countries, and to provide a platform for dialogue. ‘Good governance’ has become a central organizing concept of all UN system activities and it has led to the establishment of goals, values and commitments for member states to improve the conditions of entire mankind. It has been described more specifically as ‘governmental international regime’. However, the multipolarization of world order has not influenced the shape of Security Council; it still remains an exclusive gang of five powers playing a predominant role in handling the global affairs.

There have been demands to reform it in order to make it function it more effective, democratic and transparent. The imbalance between the number of seats in the Security Council and the total number of member States became evident and the only significant reform of the Security Council came to pass in 1965 after the ratification of two thirds of the membership, including the five permanent members of the Security Council (that have a veto right on Charter changes). The reform included an increase of the non-permanent membership from six to 10 members. In 1979, too, some developing countries put forward the issue of reform on agenda of UN. In 1992, the reform discussions of the UN Security Council were launched again and “An Agenda for Peace” was published .The agenda was to restructure the composition and anachronistic procedures of the UN organ recognizing the changed world. However, the post–Cold War period has been marked by the Council’s disposition to tackle many more conflicts than it had been able to earlier, when it was frustrated by East-West hostilities and the plethora of vetoes (cast and threatened) by the permanent members. Thus, in 1993 the Open-Ended Working Group was constituted by UN to formally discuss about the reform issue and finally in 2003 by appointing a High Level Panel on Threats, Challenges and Change. The Panel in its 2004 report released its report ‘a more Secure World: Our Shared Responsibility’. The two options mentioned by Kofi Annan (the then Secretary General) are referred to as Plan A and Plan B:

• Plan A calls for creating six new permanent members, plus three new non-permanent members for a total of 24 seats in the council.
• Plan B calls for creating eight new seats in a new class of members, who would serve for four years, subject to renewal, plus one non-permanent seat, also for a total of 24.

In context of these reforms, India has remained at the forefront of these debates demanding democratization of UN Security Council through its enlargement and redistribution of power. As the membership of Security Council signifies super power status India is desperate to get an entry into it. India stated its campaign for permanent membership of the Council in 1994 after the UN General Assembly passed a resolution in 1992. The most powerful countries viz.India, Germany Japan and Brazil, within their regional groups and key players within their regions saw themselves with a permanent seat. This group of four countries formed an interest group later known as the Group of Four (G4). The G4 countries are making United efforts to enter into the Council with veto powers proclaiming themselves ‘ self appointed promoters’ for Security Council reform. All G4 nations have GDP higher than that of the current permanent member of the Security Council with lowest GDP (Russia)

India is a dominant player and enjoys a vital position in G4. India has the world’s second largest population and is the world’s largest liberal democracy. It is also the world’s eleventh largest economy and fourth largest in terms of purchasing power parity. Currently, India maintains the world’s third largest active armed force and has nuclear weapons. India is the third largest contributor of troops to United Nations Peacekeeping missions and most importantly it has provided leadership to Third World Countries on diverse issues like trade imbalances and environmental degradation. It is worth to note that India is looked upon as best possible allay by US and Russia, and these relationships can counter the growing influence of China in world politics in terms of economic and military skills. Also, several countries and organizations such as Bangladesh, Chile, Australia, Czech Republic, and the African Union have openly supported India’s candidacy. Based on these credentials India has asserted its ‘natural ‘and ‘legitimate’ right over permanent membership of UNSC.

However, the dream of India to become a permanent member of UNSC depends much on the full support of P-5 countries (US, UK, France, Russia and China). In true sense, there is no unanimity among these P-5 members regarding India’s entry into the council. Britain and France are the only two countries who have openly voiced their support for India’s inclusion, though without the veto power. Russia is regarded as a close friend of India since last six decades so Moscow is least expected to obstruct India’s entry into the council even if it is not a loud supporter of its claims. On the other side, the US position in this context is ambiguous. However , a powerful section of US policymakers feel that India is the best choice considering the changing power equations in Asia and increasing power of China. In his recent visit to India in November 2010 , Barrack Obama responded very affirmatively saying “….And as two global leaders, the United States and India can partner for global security-especially as India serves on the Security Council over the next two years. Indeed, the just and sustainable international order that America seeks includes a United Nations that is efficient, effective, credible and legitimate. That is why I can say today-in the years ahead; I look forward to a reformed UN Security Council that includes India as a permanent member,”

All the permanent five members of Security Council must realize that the inclusion of India as a permanent member in Security Council would give the South Asia region a stabilizing force, helping peace efforts in Central Asia and all other parts of our increasingly connected world. Among these five countries the major obstruction is being provided by China.

China insists that the UN reform process should be slow, gradual and only through consensus and not through vote. China demands that any reform proposal to be adopted must garner support and endorsement from 90% of the member countries, which China perfectly knows are not possible under present circumstances. This stance of China reflects its apprehensions that the entry of countries like Japan and India into Security Council will greatly cripple its position as a sole Asian voice in the council. The China’s permanent membership in the Security Council is the only thing which differentiates China from India and Japan. A permanent membership of Security Council and declared nuclear status make it the most important player in the international sphere. Also, it is the sole Asian negotiating partner of United States on global security matters. China also fears that with Japan and India inside, Washington, when its interest was at stake could work around Russian and French resistance and outweigh China. China has also openly criticised and called for the withdrawal of reform proposal by Group of Four (consisting Japan, Germany, India and Brazil) after the African countries rejected it.

China as such is much worried about the Japan’s claim of permanent seat in Security Council. China in this fear has mentioned that Tokyo needs to win consensus in East Asia to its claims to permanent seat before it can aspire to a larger role at UN. This apprehension can be traced back to history when Japan invaded China and other Asian countries during Second World War. China is also fearful about the way Japan and US are strengthening their alliance which Beijing sees as being against it. Thus China’s opposition to other three can be regarded as symbolic. However, it is essential for her to do so to stop Tokyo in getting permanent seat. While China is firmly opposed to Japan’s candidature, it deliberately remains doubtful and marginal on India’s stand in order to prevent India-Japan coalition led by United States. China also fears that if it would openly oppose India’s entry in Security Council that would lead to greater collaboration among India, Japan and US affecting its own interest. This strategic consideration has also prompted China to adopt more suspicious position on India’s candidature helping it to balance its relation with old friend Pakistan. On the other hand India is believes that trough continuous dialogue and negotiations, it would convince China to change its stand and support India’s bid, keeping the economic necessities for better relation between the two countries. In 2010, S.M.Krishna (Indian Foreign Minister) and Indian President’s visits to China worked little. Though China voiced support for India’s bid for a non-permanent seat in 2011, it did not change its position regarding permanent seat. During the Indian President’s visit no statement had been made regarding the Security Council’s membership. The statement called on both the countries to work together “ to increase the representation of developing countries in international affairs “, but avoided any reference to Security Council which Indian Officials had sought in talks. Recently, Wen Jiabao visited India in December 2010, however, this time the statements from the Chinese Premier looked promising. The Chinese Premier in his meeting with India’s Prime Minister Dr.Manmohan Singh said “China attaches great importance to India’s status in international affairs as a large developing country, understands and supports India’s aspiration to play a greater role in the United Nations, including in the Security Council”.

India secured 187 of the 190 votes and got elected to a non-permanent seat of Security Council (elections held on 12^th October 2010) for two-year term, which began on January this year. It can be called a major victory for India as it has occupied the UNSC after a gap of 18 years, which it last held 1982. India’s performance as a non-permanent member will be watched and as per its performance its race for a permanent seat will be decided in the coming days. Furthermore, what all reforms are to be concentrated upon by the non-permanent members are also going to be watched carefully? The recent directive of India’s Central Bank, Reserve Bank of India’s direction to Indian companies not to make payments to Iran for oil and gas through Asian Clearing Union is a step in the direction of India’s efforts for permanent membership in UNSC. Similarly the performances of the newly elected members are going to be under the scanner in the coming days.

A conducive atmosphere for the permanent membership of India in UNSC has reached as per the indications. Britain is already a supporter, its Prime Minister David Cameroon had already made it clear, France is all for permanent membership of India in UNSC, its President Nicholas Sarkozy has no objection, only happiness for India’s cause, even USA which was not that in favour of India becoming a permanent member of UNSC, during Obama’s visit to India, he too gave assurance of US’s support, even neighbouring country China which was once not that inclined to support India’s lobbying for a permanent seat Chinese Premier Wen Jia Bao during his visit to India last month did make it clear China’s push for permanent membership and judging by these facts this is the most opportune moment for India being blessed with the prestigious position.