In this episode of Worldview, Suhasini Haidar breaks down the workings of the UN system and India’s chances of having a seat at the High table.
The annual gathering of the UN General Assembly, of leaders of 193 member nations in New York is underway this week, and with it come the annual calls for the 77-year-old body to consider reforming its structure and revising who should be at the high table. This year, the calls seem louder, much of it due to the idea that Security Council leaders have ensured a logjam in any forward movement with their veto power of any resolution- primarily in the context of Russia’s war in Ukraine.
The first salvo was launched by Russian President Vladimir Putin, who didn’t go to the UN, but addressed his country on the first day of the UNGA- announcing that he was
1. Increasing Russian army strength by a partial mobilisation of about 300,000 reserve soldiers
2. Ordering referendum in areas of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zhaporozhiya and Kherson, on the lines of its referendum in Crimea in 2014 that preceded its annexation
3. Warning those in the west who had suggested the use of weapons of mass destruction against Russia, that Russia would also use all weapons- suggesting the nuclear option.
US President Joseph Biden leading the way, called for UN reform to counter what he called Russia’s violations of the UN system
A number of other leaders spoke on the need for UNSC reform: Germany, Japan, Brazil, Portugal, Italy, Philippines, Mongolia Marshall Islands, and many others
Reacting to Putin’s comments Ukraine President Zelenskyy said, “this is what Ukraine is talking about. Have you ever heard such words from Russia? But it is a permanent member of the security council and for some reason, Japan, Brazil, Turkey, India, Germany and Ukraine are not. The day will come when this will be resolved.”
Speaking at Columbia University, EAM S. Jaishankar said that the global order needs a deep transformation that is overdue.
1. He said it was devised 80 years ago
2. The number of countries has quadrupled in this time
3. That large parts of the globe are left out
4. That it is not good for the UNSC and for India to be left out given its size and economy
5. And that there is growing support for India to be a member of the UNSC.
So what is UNSC reform planned, and what is India’s stand?
– In 2005, India along with Brazil, Germany and Japan launched the G-4 movement for UNSC reform, and the G4 grouping meets atleast once a year
– Their foremost demand is for an exapansion of the UN Security Counci Permanent membership for the G-4 countries
– They also demand representation for the African countries at the UNSC- for two members from the grouping, possibly on rotating basis
– G-4 demands text based, time bound negotiations, rather than endless meetings where consensus is inclusive.
– G-4 have left the question of veto power open, asking for a serious look at it but not insisting on it
Where are the biggest challenges to G-4 and particularly to India?
– The biggest challenge is from P-5 nations, who pay lip service to UNSC reforms, but have seldom helped the process along
– In particular, P-5 will oppose any plans for new Permanent members from getting a veto.
– The next challenge is from regional rivals of the G-4 countries- India has from China and Pakistan, Japan from China and North Korea, even South Korea, Brazil from Argentina and Colombia, and Germany from other european countries.
– Since the UN was devised after Second World War- and gave the so called victors UNSC seats, the question is what would be the underlying reason for expansion
– The most organised opposition comes from a grouping called United For Consensus.
UfC countries include: Argentina, Canada, Colombia, Costa Rica, Italy, Malta, Mexico, Pakistan, Republic of Korea, San Marino, Spain, Turkey
UfC Calls for
1. A fair and equitable compromise solution
2. Equitable representation for African countries, but also developing regions, small states and islands
3. Opposition to creation of new permanent members in the UNSC- with exclusive national rights and unequal privileges, saying “Security Council reform must be for all”.
– Finally there are many countries that say the UNGA should elect the UNSC council regularly- democratising the UN system, but then a system of might is right might prevail rather than represenation.
What is the process ahead?
– Security Council Reform entails the amendment of the UN Charter
– This requires Adoption by a vote of at least 2/3 of the members of the General Assembly (129 countries)
– Ratification by at least 2/3 of the members including all UNSC permanent members
Clearly, the road ahead could be just as long as the road of 77 years behind us when it comes to UNSC reform. Post Covid, the economic crisis and wars and unilateral decision making across the world, the UN system itself is under challenge…and the question is as much about whether India wants to join an unequal system that exists, or build a new system, that could take an equally long time from scratch?
Worldview with Suhasini Haidar | Is UN Security Council seat a possibility or a pipe dream for India?
In this episode of Worldview, Suhasini Haidar breaks down the workings of the UN system and India’s chances of having a seat at the High table.
The annual gathering of the UN General Assembly, of leaders of 193 member nations in New York is underway this week, and with it come the annual calls for the 77-year-old body to consider reforming its structure and revising who should be at the high table. This year, the calls seem louder, much of it due to the idea that Security Council leaders have ensured a logjam in any forward movement with their veto power of any resolution- primarily in the context of Russia’s war in Ukraine.
The first salvo was launched by Russian President Vladimir Putin, who didn’t go to the UN, but addressed his country on the first day of the UNGA- announcing that he was
1. Increasing Russian army strength by a partial mobilisation of about 300,000 reserve soldiers
2. Ordering referendum in areas of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zhaporozhiya and Kherson, on the lines of its referendum in Crimea in 2014 that preceded its annexation
3. Warning those in the west who had suggested the use of weapons of mass destruction against Russia, that Russia would also use all weapons- suggesting the nuclear option.
US President Joseph Biden leading the way, called for UN reform to counter what he called Russia’s violations of the UN system
A number of other leaders spoke on the need for UNSC reform: Germany, Japan, Brazil, Portugal, Italy, Philippines, Mongolia Marshall Islands, and many others
Reacting to Putin’s comments Ukraine President Zelenskyy said, “this is what Ukraine is talking about. Have you ever heard such words from Russia? But it is a permanent member of the security council and for some reason, Japan, Brazil, Turkey, India, Germany and Ukraine are not. The day will come when this will be resolved.”
Speaking at Columbia University, EAM S. Jaishankar said that the global order needs a deep transformation that is overdue.
1. He said it was devised 80 years ago
2. The number of countries has quadrupled in this time
3. That large parts of the globe are left out
4. That it is not good for the UNSC and for India to be left out given its size and economy
5. And that there is growing support for India to be a member of the UNSC.
So what is UNSC reform planned, and what is India’s stand?
– In 2005, India along with Brazil, Germany and Japan launched the G-4 movement for UNSC reform, and the G4 grouping meets atleast once a year
– Their foremost demand is for an exapansion of the UN Security Counci Permanent membership for the G-4 countries
– They also demand representation for the African countries at the UNSC- for two members from the grouping, possibly on rotating basis
– G-4 demands text based, time bound negotiations, rather than endless meetings where consensus is inclusive.
– G-4 have left the question of veto power open, asking for a serious look at it but not insisting on it
Where are the biggest challenges to G-4 and particularly to India?
– The biggest challenge is from P-5 nations, who pay lip service to UNSC reforms, but have seldom helped the process along
– In particular, P-5 will oppose any plans for new Permanent members from getting a veto.
– The next challenge is from regional rivals of the G-4 countries- India has from China and Pakistan, Japan from China and North Korea, even South Korea, Brazil from Argentina and Colombia, and Germany from other european countries.
– Since the UN was devised after Second World War- and gave the so called victors UNSC seats, the question is what would be the underlying reason for expansion
– The most organised opposition comes from a grouping called United For Consensus.
UfC countries include: Argentina, Canada, Colombia, Costa Rica, Italy, Malta, Mexico, Pakistan, Republic of Korea, San Marino, Spain, Turkey
UfC Calls for
1. A fair and equitable compromise solution
2. Equitable representation for African countries, but also developing regions, small states and islands
3. Opposition to creation of new permanent members in the UNSC- with exclusive national rights and unequal privileges, saying “Security Council reform must be for all”.
– Finally there are many countries that say the UNGA should elect the UNSC council regularly- democratising the UN system, but then a system of might is right might prevail rather than represenation.
What is the process ahead?
– Security Council Reform entails the amendment of the UN Charter
– This requires Adoption by a vote of at least 2/3 of the members of the General Assembly (129 countries)
– Ratification by at least 2/3 of the members including all UNSC permanent members
Clearly, the road ahead could be just as long as the road of 77 years behind us when it comes to UNSC reform. Post Covid, the economic crisis and wars and unilateral decision making across the world, the UN system itself is under challenge…and the question is as much about whether India wants to join an unequal system that exists, or build a new system, that could take an equally long time from scratch?
Worldview with Suhasini Haidar | Is UN Security Council seat a possibility or a pipe dream for India?
In this episode of Worldview, Suhasini Haidar breaks down the workings of the UN system and India’s chances of having a seat at the High table.
The annual gathering of the UN General Assembly, of leaders of 193 member nations in New York is underway this week, and with it come the annual calls for the 77-year-old body to consider reforming its structure and revising who should be at the high table. This year, the calls seem louder, much of it due to the idea that Security Council leaders have ensured a logjam in any forward movement with their veto power of any resolution- primarily in the context of Russia’s war in Ukraine.
The first salvo was launched by Russian President Vladimir Putin, who didn’t go to the UN, but addressed his country on the first day of the UNGA- announcing that he was
1. Increasing Russian army strength by a partial mobilisation of about 300,000 reserve soldiers
2. Ordering referendum in areas of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zhaporozhiya and Kherson, on the lines of its referendum in Crimea in 2014 that preceded its annexation
3. Warning those in the west who had suggested the use of weapons of mass destruction against Russia, that Russia would also use all weapons- suggesting the nuclear option.
US President Joseph Biden leading the way, called for UN reform to counter what he called Russia’s violations of the UN system
A number of other leaders spoke on the need for UNSC reform: Germany, Japan, Brazil, Portugal, Italy, Philippines, Mongolia Marshall Islands, and many others
Reacting to Putin’s comments Ukraine President Zelenskyy said, “this is what Ukraine is talking about. Have you ever heard such words from Russia? But it is a permanent member of the security council and for some reason, Japan, Brazil, Turkey, India, Germany and Ukraine are not. The day will come when this will be resolved.”
Speaking at Columbia University, EAM S. Jaishankar said that the global order needs a deep transformation that is overdue.
1. He said it was devised 80 years ago
2. The number of countries has quadrupled in this time
3. That large parts of the globe are left out
4. That it is not good for the UNSC and for India to be left out given its size and economy
5. And that there is growing support for India to be a member of the UNSC.
So what is UNSC reform planned, and what is India’s stand?
– In 2005, India along with Brazil, Germany and Japan launched the G-4 movement for UNSC reform, and the G4 grouping meets atleast once a year
– Their foremost demand is for an exapansion of the UN Security Counci Permanent membership for the G-4 countries
– They also demand representation for the African countries at the UNSC- for two members from the grouping, possibly on rotating basis
– G-4 demands text based, time bound negotiations, rather than endless meetings where consensus is inclusive.
– G-4 have left the question of veto power open, asking for a serious look at it but not insisting on it
Where are the biggest challenges to G-4 and particularly to India?
– The biggest challenge is from P-5 nations, who pay lip service to UNSC reforms, but have seldom helped the process along
– In particular, P-5 will oppose any plans for new Permanent members from getting a veto.
– The next challenge is from regional rivals of the G-4 countries- India has from China and Pakistan, Japan from China and North Korea, even South Korea, Brazil from Argentina and Colombia, and Germany from other european countries.
– Since the UN was devised after Second World War- and gave the so called victors UNSC seats, the question is what would be the underlying reason for expansion
– The most organised opposition comes from a grouping called United For Consensus.
UfC countries include: Argentina, Canada, Colombia, Costa Rica, Italy, Malta, Mexico, Pakistan, Republic of Korea, San Marino, Spain, Turkey
UfC Calls for
1. A fair and equitable compromise solution
2. Equitable representation for African countries, but also developing regions, small states and islands
3. Opposition to creation of new permanent members in the UNSC- with exclusive national rights and unequal privileges, saying “Security Council reform must be for all”.
– Finally there are many countries that say the UNGA should elect the UNSC council regularly- democratising the UN system, but then a system of might is right might prevail rather than represenation.
What is the process ahead?
– Security Council Reform entails the amendment of the UN Charter
– This requires Adoption by a vote of at least 2/3 of the members of the General Assembly (129 countries)
– Ratification by at least 2/3 of the members including all UNSC permanent members
Clearly, the road ahead could be just as long as the road of 77 years behind us when it comes to UNSC reform. Post Covid, the economic crisis and wars and unilateral decision making across the world, the UN system itself is under challenge…and the question is as much about whether India wants to join an unequal system that exists, or build a new system, that could take an equally long time from scratch?
NO COMMENT