4th January 2021. India began its eighth tenure at United Nations Security Council (UNSC) as a "non-permanent" member for two years. As 2021 is almost ending, it's pertinent to take a look at India's UNSC journey in this year, its strategic permutations and combinations and the song and dance of Indian diplomacy at the United Nations.
UNSC is known to be the only global body to have a tooth to bite, having wide powers to impose sanctions and to hold the breath of a member's economy and also to order military intervention in political crises under Chapter VII of UN Charter. The global scenario of trending US-China rivalry with deteriorated security situations in Afghanistan, Myanmar and many other places, the challenge of the Covid pandemic, increasing severity of disasters induced by climate change has added much more glamour to UNSC seat with less concrete substance on actual action agenda. In this context, India, a leader of the developing world, getting elected to UNSC becomes important in itself.
India campaigned for itself during UNSC elections with 5S i.e Samman, Samvad, Sahyog, Shanti, Samriddhi promoting responsible and inclusive solutions to international peace and security. Reformed Multilateralism involving the participation of the developing world in security affairs was major agenda. India got 184/192 votes to secure its bid. Against this backdrop, New Delhi started to unfold its stances on the global highest platform.
 |
| (source- Republic World) |
A few months later, the Afghanistan theatre opened up rapidly. India assumed the Presidency of UNSC in August 2021 when US withdrew and Taliban came at the helm. Resolution 2593 was adopted under India's presidency condemning attacks on airports in Afghanistan and vouching for humanitarian assistance to the people of Afghanistan. The resolution also demands assurances that Afghan soil will not be used for any kind of terrorism. India's focus remains on the people of Afghanistan whether its handling Afghanistan at UNSC and also at bilateral and regional levels. The security implications for investments India made in Afghanistan are not so favourable and hence, insisting that the Taliban have to pay attention to humanitarian issues becomes a natural choice.
UNSC also passed the first of its kind Presidential statement on maritime security while India was at the chair. PM Modi laid out five principles on maritime security related to trade, connectivity. peaceful settlement of disputes, disaster management and non-state actors. India's growing convergence with US on Indo Pacific and its maritime interests in supply chains and energy resources bring the maritime security agenda at the centre of India's contemporary foreign policy along with China front.
 |
| UNSC meet- powerful horseshoe table (Source- India today) |
Lastly, India successfully thwarted an attempt to bring climate change issues under the UNSC wing. India's Permanent Representative at UN, Amb. T.S. Tirumurti argued that "The reality is that developed countries have fallen well short of their promises. This is particularly important to recognise because today's attempt to link climate with security really seeks to obfuscate the lack of progress in critical issues under the UN FCC (Framework Convention on Climate Change) process." "India had no option but vote against (such resolution).", he added. India's demand for 'climate justice' at COP 26 has again underlined the longtime debate on Global North vs Global South. Global North consisting of the developed world have resisted the transfer of technology and finances to tackle climate change leading to a global divide on the same issue.
PR/Amb.T.S. Tirumurti on Climate issue and UNSC
On these lines, India stood firm at the UNSC table with resolve to act whenever the situation demands shedding hesitance to take clear stands on global issues. The change in approach is also related to enhanced diplomatic resources and multilateral links. India's consistent push for a "reformed multilateral" world signifies its commitments to small developing nations as well as desire to be in good books of existing permanents with Veto powers- USA, UK, France, Russia and China.
Although the very relevance of United Nations and UNSC acts have been debated as constraints of great power dynamics tighten, a seat at UNSC does give prestige and power necessary to be a great power at high tables. India's quest for a permanent seat at UNSC is long pending. India has sent solid signals in this one year UNSC tenure that it wants to engage with the world in a more firm way. Let's discuss what does this quest for a permanent place at a powerful horseshoe table and a reformed United Nations implies and what lies ahead.
References
- tirumurti: Our performance in UNSC again indicates that the world needs India to be at the horseshoe table permanently: Amb Tirumurti | India News - Times of India (indiatimes.com)
- India stand tall- Hindustan Times
- The World in 2021: An Epilogue | ORF (orfonline.org)
