India gains support for permanent UN Security Council seat bid.
The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) currently consists of five permanent members, often referred to as the P5: the United States, the United Kingdom, Russia, China, and France. These nations hold veto power, giving them significant influence over decisions made by the council. In addition to the permanent members, the UNSC also includes 10 non-permanent member countries. These non-permanent members are elected by the United Nations General Assembly for a two-year term. They are selected based on geographic representation, ensuring a global balance. The non-permanent members have a voice in discussions but do not possess veto power.
India’s bid for a permanent seat at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has received strong backing from key global powers, marking a significant diplomatic boost for the country. On Thursday, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer publicly endorsed India’s inclusion as a permanent member of the UNSC, following similar statements from U.S. This growing support underscores the global consensus that the UNSC, as currently structured, is in need of reform to better reflect today’s geopolitical realities.
Speaking at the general debate of the United Nations General Assembly’s seventy-ninth session in New York, Starmer emphasized the need for the Security Council to evolve into a “more representative body” that addresses the challenges of the 21st century. He argued that reforms are necessary to make the UNSC more inclusive and reflective of the current global power structure. Starmer’s call for changes came just days after Biden and Macron expressed similar views, setting the stage for potentially significant shifts in the future composition of the UNSC.
At present, the UNSC consists of five permanent members, often referred to as the P5: Russia, the United Kingdom, China, France, and the United States. These countries hold veto power, a key aspect of their influence, allowing any one of them to block substantive resolutions. In addition to the five permanent members, the council also includes 10 non-permanent member countries. These non-permanent members are elected by the United Nations General Assembly for two-year terms and do not possess veto power.
Prime Minister Starmer’s remarks on reforming the UNSC were clear and unequivocal.the UK’s firm support for expanding the council’s permanent membership to include key emerging powers. India, along with Japan, Germany, and Brazil, has long been vying for a permanent seat on the Security Council, arguing that their growing economic and political influence makes them natural candidates for such a role.
India’s push for UNSC reform is not new. The country has been campaigning for permanent membership for over two decades, citing its large population, growing global influence, and its contributions to peacekeeping missions as factors that warrant greater representation at the highest levels of the UN. India has repeatedly pointed out that the UNSC’s structure, which was established after World War II, no longer reflects contemporary global power dynamics, particularly the rise of countries in the Global South.
French President Emmanuel Macron, speaking at the same session of the UN General Assembly on Wednesday, also reiterated France’s longstanding support for India’s inclusion as a permanent member of the Security Council. Macron argued that the UNSC’s current composition has become an impediment to resolving global crises, with the veto powers of the P5 frequently leading to deadlocks on critical international issues.
Macron went on to say, “That is why France, and I repeat here, is in favor of the Security Council being expanded.” In his speech, he specifically named Germany, Japan, India, and Brazil as deserving candidates for permanent seats on the council. He also highlighted the importance of ensuring that Africa has a permanent voice on the UNSC, suggesting that two African nations be selected to represent the continent.
Macron’s remarks come as part of a broader global conversation on the need for multilateral institutions to be more inclusive and effective. The UNSC, as it currently stands, has often been criticized for being unrepresentative, particularly by countries in Africa, Latin America, and Asia, which have minimal representation on the council despite having significant populations and regional influence.
The U.S. has also thrown its weight behind India’s bid for permanent membership. President Joe Biden has made multiple statements in support of UNSC reform and India’s inclusion in recent years. During his address at the UN General Assembly, Biden reiterated his administration’s commitment to expanding the council to include more permanent members, specifically mentioning India as a leading candidate. Biden’s endorsement is especially significant given the influence the U.S. wields in the international system and its position as one of the P5 members.
These endorsements from major global powers come at a critical time for India, which is seeking to play a larger role on the world stage. As the world’s largest democracy and one of the fastest-growing economies, India’s inclusion as a permanent member of the UNSC would be a significant recognition of its global influence. Additionally, India’s increasing participation in international peacekeeping missions and its leadership in initiatives such as the International Solar Alliance further bolster its case for a permanent seat.
Despite the growing support, the road to UNSC reform remains fraught with challenges. Any changes to the composition of the Security Council would require the approval of two-thirds of the UN General Assembly, as well as the backing of all five permanent members, including China and Russia, who have historically been resistant to changes that could dilute their influence.
Nevertheless, the backing from leaders like Starmer, Macron, and Biden adds momentum to India’s long-standing quest for a permanent seat. With the growing realization that the current structure of the UNSC is increasingly out of touch with global realities, the calls for reform are only likely to intensify. Whether or not these reforms will materialize in the near future remains to be seen, but India’s case for permanent membership is stronger than ever.