Don’t Deny India a Seat at the UN’s High Table

Livemint     28th September 2020     Save    

Context: Addressing the UN’s general assembly, Prime Minister Narendra Modi pushed for United Nations Security Council (UNSC) reforms.

Arguments in favour of a permanent seat for India in UN Security Council

  • Tilt of world order from west to East: Institution built on the rubble of World War II must either reform itself to face the future or risk turning into a relic of the past.
  • Global peace: An equal voice for India may help in improving global peace
  • Largest democracy: India being the largest democracy and  home to every sixth individual alive
  • India’s role In the pandemic: India was ready to aid its efforts as a vaccine supplier. 
  • China factor: 
  • Reforms could raise UN prospects of relevance as China begins to exert its clout beyond its borders.
  • China fancies itself as a fully paid-up hegemon, ready to bend the world’s future to its will. It has violated India’s borders, muzzled Hong Kong, and glowered at Taiwan.
  • China is holding East’s sole veto in the Security council.
      • A Chinese veto has long held a Sword of Damocles over India’s quest for a weighty role in world affairs, including its nuclear policy
  • Widening economic gap between India and China: This will lead to Chinese voice being heard over Indian in various forums.
  • Failure of the UN with the existing framework:
  • Failed to contain war or terror
  • Unable to support  the global fight against the COVID pandemic.
Conclusion: For the sake of peace in Asia and beyond, India must have equal authority at the high table.