New Delhi (NVI): India begins its new stint at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for a period of two years from today. This is India’s eighth term as a non-permanent, voting member of the UNSC. The last stint was in the year 2011-2012.
French Ambassador to India, Emmanuel Lenain welcomed India to the UNSC. “France welcomes India as it joins #UNSC for the next 2 years. We are eager to work side by side to uphold international law, fight terrorism and defend #multilateralism. To this end, we also need a UNSC reform that gives India a permanent seat!” he tweeted.
France welcomes India as it joins #UNSC for the next 2 years. We are eager to work side by side to uphold international law, fight terrorism and defend #multilateralism. To this end, we also need a UNSC reform that gives India a permanent seat! pic.twitter.com/v1j6rGAkqb
— Emmanuel Lenain (@FranceinIndia) January 1, 2021
Pertinently, India and France have in the past jointly called for reform of the UNSC that would enable India to gain a permanent seat on it. Both the countries also share the same vision for a new balanced multipolar world, which must be based on the rule of law. They also have a mutual understanding of the security developments in Asia and the Indo-Pacific, including combating international terrorism.
The UNSC is composed of 15 members, with China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States as the five permanent members, also known as P-5. There are 10 non-permanent members elected for two-year terms by the General Assembly (with the end of term year).
India begins its non-permanent membership at the UNSC amidst the continued stand-off with China along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
The focus of India as a non-permanent of the UNSC will be on reforms. This was also highlighted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his speech at the UNGA in September this year.
India joins the Council as the UN body is celebrating its 75th anniversary while the world is gradually recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic.
-ARK
