Important International institutions, agencies and fora- their structure, mandate.
In News: With the start of the New Year, India officially began its two-year term as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council.
The country’s flag was installed at the UNSC stakeout on the first working day of 2021 by India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador T S Tirumurti. He is also expected to make brief remarks at the special ceremony.
India will sit in the 15-nation United Nations Security Council for the 2021-22 term as a non-permanent member. This is the eighth time that the country has had a seat on the powerful horseshoe table.
Later, in August this year India will be the UNSC President, and will preside over the Council again for a month in 2022.
What happened at the election that India won?
India won 184 votes in the 193-strong UN General Assembly
Ahead of the vote, India had launched a campaign brochure which highlighted
Its demand for transparency in mandates for UN peacekeeping missions
Push for the India-led Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism
Demand for joint efforts for UN reform and expansion of the Security Council
In 2020, India was the only candidate for the vacancy from the Asia Pacific and was endorsed unanimously by the Asia Pacific group, which comprises 55 countries, including Pakistan and China.
India has earlier been a non-permanent member of the Security Council in 1950-51, 1967-68, 1972-73, 1977-78, 1984-85, 1991-92 and 2011-12.
Significance of India’s win
India’s Growing Credibility: Broad based support for India’s candidature means world places faith on India’s commitment to multilateralism and reforms.
Diplomacy with agenda: A “new orientation for a reformed multilateral system” (NORMS), as laid out by India’s Minister of External Affairs, would be India’s overall objective during the two-year tenure
Voice of developing countries: UN’s agenda has often been hijacked by the interests of five permanent members. India win means that it has got a platform to voice the issues of emerging countries.
How will India gain by getting elected to UNSC as non-permanent member?
Enhances hope for Permanent Seat: out of the 192 votes cast, India got 184 which has understandably ignited the hope that its quest for permanent membership of the Council may succeed
Access to High Diplomacy: India will also have access into the consultations chamber of the UNSC, which is closed to non-members of the Council. It is there that hard negotiations take place without any public record.
Push for India’s interest: Counter-terrorism will be one of the highest priorities for India at the UNSC.
Higher Profile: India will have a higher profile at the UN for the next two years as the non-permanent members have a collective veto over every resolution in the Council.
Active Diplomacy: Permanent members can prevent adoption of resolutions by themselves, but they need at least nine votes to get a resolution passed, where India can play active lobbying role which might serve its interests
Challenges Ahead
Implementation hurdles: Achieving the objective laid out in NORMS, would depend on how India will conduct diplomacy in the global body, build alliances and raise issues that go beyond the interests of the big five
Declining Multilateralism: The COVID-19 pandemic has already shaken up the global order and sharpened the rivalry between the U.S. and China. This has opened up fresh debates on strengthening multilateralism and multilateral institutions.
Polarised world: India should avoid the temptation of taking sides at a time when the Security Council is getting more and more polarised, especially in the wake of US-China tensions
India’s performance in the Council may earn it respect, but it will not lead to its elevation to permanent membership as there is strong opposition to any expansion from permanent members
The pressure of work of Indian mission will also increase because 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 particularly the veto members so that they don’t retaliate when India’s interests come up
To serve India’s interests and push for its agenda of multilateralism and reforms, India should adopt value-based positions that are not transactional.
On UNSC
Functions and Powers of UNSC
To maintain international peace and security in accordance with the principles and purposes of the United Nations;
To investigate any dispute or situation which might lead to international friction;
To recommend methods of adjusting such disputes or the terms of settlement;
To determine the existence of a threat to the peace or act of aggression and to recommend what action should be taken;
To take military action against an aggressor;
To call on Members to apply economic sanctions and other measures not involving the use of force to prevent or stop aggression;
To recommend the admission of new Members;
To exercise the trusteeship functions of the United Nations in “strategic areas”;
To recommend to the General Assembly the appointment of the Secretary-General and, together with the Assembly, to elect the Judges of the International Court of Justice.
Composition of UNSC
Five permanent members: China, France, Russian Federation, the United Kingdom, and the United States – who enjoy Veto power
Ten non-permanent members elected by the General Assembly
The non-permanent members are elected for two-year terms — so every year, the General Assembly elects five non-permanent members out of the total 10.
Non-permanent member has to secure the votes of two-thirds of the members present and voting (secret ballot) at the General Assembly session — which is a minimum of 129 votes, if all 193 member states participate.
These 10 seats are distributed among the regions of the world:
Five seats for African and Asian countries; (3 are for Africa and 2 for Asia)
One for Eastern European countries;
Two for Latin American and Caribbean countries; and
Two for Western European and Other Countries
Also, there is an informal understanding between the Asia & Africa groups to reserve one seat for an Arab country. They take turns every two years to put up an Arab candidate.
