The adoption of a resolution by the United Nations General Assembly to use a framework text as the basis of discussions on Security Council reforms is an important step towards India's bid to become a permanent member of the Security Council. This is the first time in the history of intergovernmental negotiations process that the decision on UN reform has been adopted.
The United Nations Security Council is one of the six principal organs of the United Nations charged with the maintenance of international peace and security as well as accepting new members to the Security Council and approving any changes to the UN charter. Its power includes establishment of peacekeeping operation, establishing of international sanctions and authorization of military action through the Security Council resolutions. The five permanent members of the security council wield the power of veto which they can use to block any resolution of the UNSC. The five permanent members of the UNSC are US, Russia, China, France and UK. The UNSC was formed to meet the challenges post World War 2 but struggled to cope with dynamics of the Cold War.
The UN must take into cognizance the fact that developing nations like India play important roles in international economy and politics but they are denied any substantial power in the Security Council where only the veto wielding members take all the important decisions. The Security Council should be a more democratic body to tackle global challenges.
Three of the five permanent members of the Council i.e. US, Russia and China, are against any major restructuring of the Council. Although the US and Russia have promised to support India's claim to become a permanent member of the Security Council their current positions on the issue are contradictory. While the US is in favour of a 'modest expansion', Russia is against any change in the veto arrangement. Even if the General Assembly reach a consensus on the reforms it will be vetoed by one of the permanent members.
India must press for dialogue on the issue with all the permanent members reminding them of the promises that were made. India along with the other G4 nations must constantly push their agenda to make the UNSC a more democratic body.
The United Nations Security Council is one of the six principal organs of the United Nations charged with the maintenance of international peace and security as well as accepting new members to the Security Council and approving any changes to the UN charter. Its power includes establishment of peacekeeping operation, establishing of international sanctions and authorization of military action through the Security Council resolutions. The five permanent members of the security council wield the power of veto which they can use to block any resolution of the UNSC. The five permanent members of the UNSC are US, Russia, China, France and UK. The UNSC was formed to meet the challenges post World War 2 but struggled to cope with dynamics of the Cold War.
The UN must take into cognizance the fact that developing nations like India play important roles in international economy and politics but they are denied any substantial power in the Security Council where only the veto wielding members take all the important decisions. The Security Council should be a more democratic body to tackle global challenges.
Three of the five permanent members of the Council i.e. US, Russia and China, are against any major restructuring of the Council. Although the US and Russia have promised to support India's claim to become a permanent member of the Security Council their current positions on the issue are contradictory. While the US is in favour of a 'modest expansion', Russia is against any change in the veto arrangement. Even if the General Assembly reach a consensus on the reforms it will be vetoed by one of the permanent members.
India must press for dialogue on the issue with all the permanent members reminding them of the promises that were made. India along with the other G4 nations must constantly push their agenda to make the UNSC a more democratic body.
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