Blitz Bureau
New Delhi: India’s long-standing ambition to secure a permanent seat at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has gained considerable momentum in recent years. With backing from major powers such as the United States, France, and the United Kingdom, India’s push for inclusion as a permanent member highlights its growing importance on the world stage. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s endorsement of India’s bid in September 2024 further underscores the international consensus that reforming the UNSC is necessary to reflect 21st-century geopolitical realities. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his address to the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), made it clear that the time has come for the Security Council to be more inclusive, representing the world’s emerging powers.
UNSC: A historical overview
The UNSC, established in 1945, is one of the six principal organs of the United Nations responsible for maintaining international peace and security. It holds the power to make binding decisions, including sanctions, military interventions, and peacekeeping missions. The council consists of 15 members: five permanent members (the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Russia, and China) and 10 non-permanent members elected by the General Assembly for two-year terms. Each of the permanent members holds veto power, which gives them significant influence over the council’s decisions.
The UNSC’s structure, rooted in post-World War II power dynamics, has remained largely unchanged for over 75 years. However, the world has transformed significantly since then. Emerging powers and evolving geopolitical relationships have led to growing demands for reforms to better reflect modern realities. India, alongside Brazil, Germany, and Japan—collectively known as the G4 nations—has been a vocal proponent of expanding the Security Council to better represent the contemporary global order.
Why India’s bid for a permanent seat is critical
Several key factors bolster India’s case for a permanent seat on the UNSC. These points not only underscore India’s global influence but also highlight the need for the Security Council to adapt to current global dynamics.
Global Influence and Economic Power : India is the world’s largest democracy and the fifth-largest economy, with over 1.4 billion people. Its economic strength and strategic importance, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region, make India a key player in shaping international policies on trade, security, and environmental issues.
CONTRIBUTIONS TO UN PEACEKEEPING : India has a distinguished history of contributing to United Nations peacekeeping operations. Since gaining independence, India has deployed over 200,000 soldiers in 49 UN missions, making it one of the largest troop contributors. This legacy underscores India’s commitment to global peace and security, strengthening its claim to a permanent seat.
ADVOCATING FOR THE GLOBAL SOUTH : India has long been a strong voice for the developing world, particularly through multilateral platforms such as BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) and the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM). As a representative of the Global South, India’s inclusion in the UNSC would ensure that the concerns of developing nations are given a stronger voice in global governance.
COMMITMENT TO INTERNATIONAL LAW AND DIPLOMACY : India’s consistent support for multilateralism and international law has established its reputation as a responsible global power. Its leadership in addressing global issues, such as climate change and global health, demonstrates its readiness to take on greater responsibilities.
STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS : India’s growing relationships with key global players, including the United States, France, and the United Kingdom, have bolstered its candidacy for a permanent UNSC seat. These nations recognize India’s strategic significance in tackling major global challenges such as terrorism, climate change, and regional security.
Increasing international support
In recent years, India’s bid for a permanent UNSC seat has garnered significant international backing. In September 2024, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer publicly expressed support for India’s inclusion during his speech at the UN General Assembly. This followed similar endorsements from U.S. President Joe Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron, marking a shift in global opinion toward reforming the UNSC.
At the G20 Summit in New Delhi in September 2023, President Biden reaffirmed the United States’ support for expanding the Security Council to include India as a permanent member. He emphasized the need for the council to reflect “the current realities of the world,” with India playing a pivotal role in global governance.
France has been a vocal advocate for India’s inclusion as well. President Emmanuel Macron has consistently supported India’s bid, citing its democratic credentials and growing global influence. Macron has argued that India’s participation as a permanent member would strengthen the Security Council’s ability to address global challenges in a more balanced and inclusive manner.
PM Modi’s call for UNSC reform
In his address to the 78th United Nations General Assembly in September 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi called for the reform of the Security Council to make it more representative of contemporary geopolitical realities. Modi reiterated India’s commitment to multilateralism and its readiness to assume greater responsibilities on the world stage.
“The United Nations must evolve to meet the challenges of the 21st century,” PM Modi said. “The Security Council, as the primary institution for maintaining global peace, must be reformed to reflect the realities of today’s world. India, with its commitment to peace, development, and democracy, stands ready to contribute to this global effort.”
Modi’s speech emphasized India’s role as a responsible global power, particularly in addressing critical issues such as climate change, terrorism, and sustainable development. He urged member states to support UNSC reform, noting that expanding the council would enhance its legitimacy and effectiveness in maintaining international peace and security.
Challenges and the Path Forward
Reforming the UNSC is a complex and arduous process that requires widespread international agreement. Any changes to the council’s structure must be approved by a two-thirds majority in the UN General Assembly, which means at least 129 votes are needed. More critically, any reform must also gain the approval of all five permanent members, each of whom holds veto power.
China’s opposition remains a significant challenge. As a regional rival, China is wary of India’s growing influence and has been reluctant to support India’s bid for permanent membership. Furthermore, reform proposals must also address the demands of African nations, who have been advocating for two permanent seats on the council to reflect Africa’s increasing role in global affairs.
Despite these obstacles, there is growing momentum behind India’s bid. With endorsements from key global powers and increasing recognition of India’s leadership on the international stage, the push for a more inclusive and representative Security Council is gaining strength.
India’s bid for a permanent seat at the United Nations Security Council is not just a reflection of its rising global influence but also part of a broader effort to make the UNSC more representative of today’s geopolitical landscape. With strong backing from major powers like the United States, France, and the United Kingdom, India’s case for inclusion has never been stronger. As PM Modi emphasized in his address to the UNGA, the time for reform has come, and India is ready to contribute to a more equitable and effective system of global governance.
However, achieving these reforms will require significant diplomatic efforts. Overcoming opposition, particularly from China, and building a broad consensus among member states will be key to realizing meaningful change in the United Nations’ most powerful body.
