Paromita Das
GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 3rd October. In the international arena, Bharat’s longstanding demand for a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has gained significant backing once again. In the past week, the United States, the United Kingdom, and France have reiterated their individual support for Bharat’s claim to a permanent position within this influential body. While the backing from these global powers is crucial, it remains to be seen whether it will result in concrete action toward reforming the UNSC, whose structure has been criticized for not reflecting the geopolitical realities of the 21st century.
Recent Global Support for Bharat’s UNSC Bid
The latest series of endorsements began with U.S. President Joe Biden during a meeting with Bharatiya Prime Minister Narendra Modi, where Biden advocated for global institutional reforms, including Bharat’s inclusion as a permanent member of a reformed UNSC. French President Emmanuel Macron soon followed, reaffirming France’s long-standing support for Bharat’s bid. Most recently, UK Prime Minister Keith Starmer added his voice, emphasizing the need for the Security Council to become a “more representative body” and calling for Bharat’s permanent membership.
This renewed momentum provides Bharat with another opportunity to highlight the inadequacies of the current UNSC structure, which has remained largely unchanged since its inception in 1945. Bharat has consistently argued that the Council’s representation does not adequately reflect the geopolitical realities of the modern world, with nations like Bharat, Brazil, and Japan continuing to be excluded from permanent membership.
Bharat’s Strong Case for Permanent Membership
Bharat’s credentials for a permanent seat on the UNSC are robust and well-established. As one of the original members of the League of Nations, Bharat has played an active role in international diplomacy and peacekeeping for decades. Bharat has served as a non-permanent member of the Security Council eight times, most recently in the 2021-22 term. Moreover, Bharat’s membership in the G4—a group that includes Japan, Germany, and Brazil—further strengthens its case for UNSC reform, as these nations back each other’s bids for permanent seats.
In addition to its historical involvement in the UN, Bharat has made significant contributions to global peacekeeping efforts and has consistently played a key role in major global discussions, from climate change to international security. Furthermore, Bharat’s rising economic and military clout, combined with its status as the world’s most populous country, strengthens its claim to a permanent seat at the global table.
Challenges to Bharat’s UNSC Bid: The Stalled Reform Process
Despite these endorsements and Bharat’s compelling case, progress on UNSC reform has been frustratingly slow. The main obstacle lies in the complex process required to amend the UN Charter. Changes to the Council’s structure require the support of two-thirds of the UN General Assembly and the backing of all five permanent members (the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Russia, and China). While the U.S., U.K., and France have expressed support for Bharat’s bid, China remains a major roadblock.
China’s reluctance to back Bharat’s permanent membership stems from its broader geopolitical rivalry with Bharat, as well as its opposition to Japan’s bid for a permanent seat. The G4 nations—Bharat, Japan, Brazil, and Germany—support each other’s claims for UNSC membership, and China has hinted that it may back Bharat only if New Delhi refrains from endorsing Japan’s bid. This divide-and-conquer strategy has stalled meaningful progress on UNSC reform.
Additionally, while the U.S. has expressed support for Bharat’s membership, there are concerns among some American policymakers regarding Bharat’s independent foreign policy, particularly in cases like the Russia-Ukraine conflict, where Bharat’s stance has not aligned with that of the West. This divergence has led some to question whether Bharat would be a reliable partner on the Security Council.
The Global Context: Bharat’s Rising Diplomatic Influence
Bharat’s pursuit of a permanent UNSC seat comes at a time when the country is gaining prominence on the global stage. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Bharat has adopted a multi-alignment strategy in its foreign policy, allowing it to navigate complex geopolitical situations while maintaining relationships with major powers on all sides of the spectrum. Bharat’s ability to balance relations with the U.S. and Russia, for example, has drawn global attention.
A key instance of this diplomatic balancing act was Bharat’s response to the Russia-Ukraine war. While Bharat continued importing discounted oil from Russia despite Western sanctions, it simultaneously strengthened its strategic partnership with the U.S. Bharat has also maintained open lines of communication with Ukraine, advocating for an end to the conflict through dialogue. This deft diplomacy has allowed Bharat to maintain ties with both sides, highlighting its growing influence in global affairs.
Bharat’s presidency of the G20 in 2023 further underscored its leadership role on the world stage. A major achievement during its presidency was the successful push for the African Union’s permanent membership in the G20, which elevated the representation of the Global South in global governance. This move reflects Bharat’s commitment to reforming international institutions and bolstering the voice of developing nations.
Bharat’s Strategic Partnerships and Regional Diplomacy
Bharat’s growing influence is also evident in its involvement in various regional and international forums. Its participation in the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) with the U.S., Japan, and Australia is a key component of its Indo-Pacific strategy, aimed at counterbalancing China’s influence in the region. At the same time, Bharat has maintained strong relationships with other regional organizations, including BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), showcasing its ability to engage with seemingly opposing blocs.
Bharat’s role in Middle Eastern diplomacy has also expanded in recent years, particularly through the I2U2 group, which includes Bharat, Israel, the UAE, and the U.S. These strategic partnerships, along with Bharat’s leadership in defense, climate change, and energy cooperation, have enhanced its global standing and bolstered its case for permanent membership in the UNSC.
The Way Forward: Reforming the UNSC
While the individual support of the U.S., U.K., and France is a positive step for Bharat, achieving permanent membership on the UNSC requires broader international consensus and, crucially, the support of all five current permanent members. China’s opposition, in particular, remains a significant obstacle, as it has used its veto power to block reform efforts in the past.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has repeatedly called for reform of the Security Council, describing it as an “outdated” institution that no longer reflects the realities of global power dynamics. However, procedural reforms have not addressed the fundamental issue of expanding permanent membership.
For Bharat, continued diplomatic efforts, coupled with growing global influence, are essential to keeping the issue of UNSC reform on the international agenda. The support of key global players like the U.S., U.K., and France must be translated into concrete action within the UN framework, ensuring that the issue does not fade into the background.
Conclusion
Bharat’s bid for a permanent seat on the UNSC reflects its growing stature as a global power. Backed by major players like the U.S, U.K, and France, Bharat’s claim is bolstered by its robust diplomatic engagements, strategic partnerships, and leadership on critical global issues. However, significant challenges remain, particularly from China’s opposition and the stagnation of UN reforms.
The UNSC’s failure to reflect the geopolitical realities of the 21st century undermines its credibility and effectiveness. Bharat, with its economic might, diplomatic influence, and contributions to global peacekeeping, deserves a permanent seat on the Council. The repeated backing from the U.S., U.K., and France is encouraging, but it must be followed by actionable reforms. Without changes, the UNSC risks losing its relevance in a rapidly changing world.
Bharat’s balanced foreign policy and ability to navigate complex geopolitical challenges demonstrate its readiness to take on a larger role in global governance. Reforming the UNSC to include Bharat and other emerging powers is not only a matter of fairness but also essential for maintaining the legitimacy of the United Nations in addressing global challenges.
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