As a non-permanent member of the UNSC for the next two years, India will have to navigate through a tumultuous world. Anti-terrorism will be top priority for India.

India at UNSC

• India will be back in the United Nations Security Council for a two-year term beginning January 1, 2021.
• Two-year term will be a critical time in the history of the UN.
• It is hoped that by then COVID-19 will have subsided, a U.S. President will have been elected.
• And the contours of a new world order may have emerged.

How elections take place

• The basic contest for the non-permanent seats takes place in the respective regional groups and their sub-groups.
• Voting in the General Assembly is to fulfil the requirement of countries having to secure a two-thirds majority of the member states.
• But regional endorsement is becoming difficult.
• Last time, it was Kazakhstan which vacated the place for India.
• This time, it was Afghanistan. India could not have got the endorsement without such gestures from friendly countries.

What will be India’s priorities as a member of UNSC

• India will continue to provide leadership and a new orientation for a reformed multilateral system.
• How far the UN will be able to reform itself in the new situation remains uncertain.
• The UN did not succeed in either defining terrorism or in adopting the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism.
• Counter-terrorism will be one of the highest priorities for India at the UNSC.

Permanent member of India issue

• India’s election as a non-permanent member has understandably ignited the hope that its quest for permanent membership.
• Nothing is farther from the truth.
• Seeking to amend the Charter to add new permanent members is difficult task.
• None of the proposals has the possibility of securing two-thirds majority of the General Assembly and the votes of the five permanent members.
• A majority of the UN members are against the privileges of the permanent members, particularly the veto.
• India’s performance in the Council will not lead to its elevation to permanent membership as the opposition to any expansion is not India-specific.

Role of India as non-permanent member

• The non-permanent members have a collective veto over every resolution in the Council.
• As a part of collective veto, India will have a higher profile at the UN for the next two years
• Permanent members can prevent the adoption of resolutions by themselves through veto.
• But they need at least nine votes to get a resolution passed.
• India will also have a rare peep into the consultations chamber of the UNSC, which is closed to non-members of the Council.
• India will get involved in many issues in which it may not have any direct interest.
• Since India does not have a veto, it shall have to proceed cautiously not to offend anyone.

Consider the question “India has been chosen as the non-permanent member of the UNSC and will be there at the critical time in the history of the UNSC. What should be India’s priority and approach as a member of the UNSC?”

Conclusion

India’s mission in New York has earned a reputation that it is next only to the permanent members in influence. But whether it will be able to deal with traditional challenges in novel ways will depend on the turns and twists in an uncertain world.

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