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

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.