Beyond a Seat At UN High Table

Context: India’s contention for a veto-wielding seat on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) is devoid of any path to getting there.

Obstacles in India’s Permanent Membership to UNSC:

• Presence of Coffee Club: Consisting of Pakistan, Argentina, Italy and Spain which opposes the claims of various aspirants including India. (Pakistan publicly insist that India should be denied the place)
• Resistance from the permanent members: While China has a veto on our entry, other holders of power including France and the United Kingdom fear their credible role in the organisation.
• Misplaced Indian claims:
  • Our claim to gain a seat in the UNSC is based on Pakistan and “cross border terror” which is narrow. (India even failed to revive The South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation (SAARC)).
  • Claims based on the size of our population is misplaced: since the United Nations is a gathering of nation-states not ranked by population.
• Low economic power: India’s real problem is that it has a fifth of China’s economic power, not so much that it doesn’t get to sit at the high table. (India is one of the poorest nations on earth.)
  • Low contribution to the UN: India contribute just $23 million to the UN annually as compared to the UK, France(five times), Germany(seven times), Japan (10 times), China (15 times), US (400 times).

Conclusion: India’s contention for a permanent seat in UNSC must be based on a mature discussion over the need, cost, obligations and responsibilities attached with the position of UNSC.