Relevance : GS Paper II
By winning endorsement of Asia-Pacific Group, India has cleared an important hurdle in its quest for a UNSC non-permanent seat for 2021-22.
The next Step
- India will need to show the support of at least 129 countries.
- It will then occupy the seat at the UNSC for a two-year period.
Reasons why India decided to pursue candidature
- To have India’s voice at the high table as many times as possible.
- By rotation, that seat would have reached India only in the 2030s.
- India has a unique role to play given the polarization among permanent members.
- The year 2022 marks the 75th year of India’s Independence.
The positive sign
Despite the challenges in relations with Pakistan and China, both the countries agreed to the nomination.
Way forward for India
- Work out a comprehensive strategy for what it plans to do with the seat.
- Shed the image of ‘fence-sitting’ by abstaining on votes.
- Strengthen the multilateral world order amid unilateral moves by US and China.
- Nudge all five permanent members on the reform and expansion of the UNSC.
