Reforming the UNSC: India’s Objection to Identity-Based Criteria

Context:

India has strongly objected to proposals that attempt to introduce religion and faith as new criteria for representation in a reformed United Nations Security Council (UNSC). India argued that this approach is fundamentally against the globally accepted practice of regional representation — the core principle that governs UNSC membership discussions.

This issue is significant in the context of India’s long-standing demand for comprehensive UNSC reforms to reflect the realities of the 21st century geopolitical order.

Decoding the Issue:

India highlighted that any attempt to reshape the UNSC without ensuring expansion in both permanent and non-permanent categories would undermine the purpose of the reform. Introducing identity-based criteria like religion and faith risks setting a dangerous precedent and diluting the objective foundation of geographical balance and fairness in global representation.

United Nations Security Council: Legal Basis

The UNSC was established under the United Nations Charter (1945). Its structure and responsibilities are defined under Chapter V (Articles 23-32).

• Article 23: Defines the Council’s composition — 15 members (5 permanent and 10 non-permanent).

• Article 24: Assigns the primary responsibility for international peace and security to the UNSC.

• Article 27: Grants veto power to the 5 permanent members (P5) and mandates 9 out of 15 votes for decisions on substantive issues.

Composition and Core Functions:

The UNSC is composed of:

• 5 Permanent Members (P5): USA, Russia, China, UK, and France, each holding veto power.

• 10 Non-Permanent Members: Elected for 2-year terms by the General Assembly based on regional representation, with no immediate re-election.

The Council’s key functions include:

• Authorizing peacekeeping missions, sanctions, and military actions.

• Addressing threats to international peace.

• Approving new UN members (subject to General Assembly approval).

• Recommending the appointment of the UN Secretary-General.

India’s Role in the UNSC:

India has served as a non-permanent member 8 times, most recently in 2021-2022. During its tenure, India has:

• Consistently advocated for UNSC reforms to make the Council more democratic and reflective of modern geopolitical realities.

• Pushed for global action against terrorism.

India is also part of the G4 group (India, Brazil, Germany, Japan), which demands:

• Expansion of both permanent and non-permanent categories.

• A model that reflects the fact that India is home to 1.4 billion people and ranks as the 5th largest economy.

Divergent Positions on UNSC Reform:

The debate over UNSC reform has two clear positions:

• G4 Nations: Demand a comprehensive reform that includes an increase in both permanent and non-permanent seats.

• Uniting for Consensus (UfC) Group: Comprising Argentina, Canada, Colombia, Costa Rica, Malta, Mexico, Pakistan, Republic of Korea, San Marino, Spain, Türkiye, Italy, the group supports only expanding non-permanent seats, proposing a 27-member UNSC without altering the number of permanent members.

Conclusion:

India’s stand against identity-based parameters for UNSC reform highlights its commitment to upholding the principle of regional and equitable representation. The debate over the Security Council’s structure is a critical element of India’s push for reforms that match contemporary global realities and ensure fair representation in key global decision-making bodies.