Opinion | India’s Claim for a Permanent UNSC Seat: A Case for Global Equity

As global power continues to shift, the time has come for the UNSC to embrace reform and recognize India’s rightful place at the table.

India’s quest for a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has gained increasing relevance as the geopolitical landscape evolves. The UNSC, one of the most powerful organs of the UN, is responsible for maintaining international peace and security. However, its current structure, which includes five permanent members with veto power—China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States—has remained unchanged since its inception in 1945. India, with its growing economic clout, political stability, and global influence, has emerged as a strong contender for a permanent seat. India has consistently been a major player on the global stage, both in terms of its economic growth and political significance. With a population exceeding 1.4 billion, it is the world’s largest democracy and the second most populous country. Its economy ranks as the fifth largest globally, and it is projected to surpass the GDP of several of the existing UNSC permanent members in the coming years. India’s contribution to global trade, technology, and services further underscores its importance in shaping global affairs.

Moreover, India is an active participant in multilateral organizations such as the G20, BRICS, and the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM). Its commitment to fostering global cooperation and dialogue is evident through its leadership on various international platforms. For instance, during its recent presidency of the G20, India championed key issues like climate change, sustainable development, and global health crises, demonstrating its capacity to lead on complex international matters. Given this context, India’s exclusion from the UNSC’s permanent membership seems increasingly anachronistic.One of the most compelling arguments in favor of India’s permanent membership is its longstanding commitment to international peace and security. India has been a major contributor to UN peacekeeping missions, having sent more than 250,000 troops to serve in 49 of the 71 UN peacekeeping operations since 1948. India’s peacekeeping contributions, often under challenging circumstances, reflect its commitment to the UN’s core mission of maintaining global peace. In addition to its peacekeeping efforts, India has taken a proactive role in advocating for nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation. Despite possessing nuclear capabilities, India has consistently upheld a ‘no first use’ nuclear policy and has called for comprehensive nuclear disarmament on the global stage. India’s stance on nuclear weapons is a demonstration of its responsible behavior as a global power, further strengthening its case for UNSC membership. India’s foreign policy is rooted in the principles of multilateralism and global cooperation. It has long been a proponent of a rules-based international order and has consistently advocated for reforms in global governance institutions to make them more representative and democratic. India’s vision for a multipolar world, where power is distributed among several nations rather than concentrated in a few, aligns with the goals of the United Nations itself. As a developing nation, India has also been a vocal advocate for the Global South, championing the interests of marginalized countries in global decision-making processes. India’s leadership on issues such as climate change, poverty eradication, and sustainable development has earned it the respect and support of many nations, particularly in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Its efforts to promote South-South cooperation, enhance trade, and foster technological collaboration further underscore India’s role as a responsible global actor.

The current composition of the UNSC reflects the geopolitical realities of the post-World War II era, which are vastly different from today’s global context. The world has shifted from a bipolar system dominated by the U.S. and Soviet Union to a more complex, multipolar system, where emerging powers such as India, Brazil, and South Africa play significant roles. However, the structure of the UNSC remains frozen in time, failing to accommodate the rise of these new global players. India’s inclusion as a permanent member of the UNSC would help correct this imbalance and ensure that the council better reflects contemporary global power dynamics. The current composition of the UNSC is also heavily skewed towards the Global North, with four out of five permanent members being from the developed world. India, as a representative of the Global South, could bring a much-needed perspective to the UNSC’s decision-making process, particularly on issues that disproportionately affect developing nations, such as climate change, food security, and global health challenges. India’s claim for a permanent seat on the UNSC is further bolstered by its strong diplomatic and strategic relationships with key global powers. Over the years, India has cultivated close ties with all the existing permanent members of the UNSC, as well as with other influential countries across the globe. Its strategic partnerships with the United States, Japan, France, and Russia have been instrumental in advancing its claim for a permanent seat.India’s growing relationship with the U.S. and its inclusion in forums like the Quad (alongside Australia and Japan) has also enhanced its strategic profile in the Indo-Pacific region, which is emerging as a key area of global contestation. Simultaneously, India has maintained a delicate balance in its relations with Russia and China, demonstrating its ability to navigate complex geopolitical environments and maintain cordial relations with multiple power centers. India’s bid for a permanent UNSC seat has garnered widespread international support. Countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, France, and Russia have, at various times, expressed their backing for India’s inclusion. Additionally, India’s long-standing participation in international dialogues, such as the G4 (which includes Japan, Germany, and Brazil), aims to push for comprehensive UNSC reforms, including the expansion of permanent and non-permanent seats. In Africa, Asia, and Latin America, India enjoys considerable goodwill, particularly among countries that share its vision for a more equitable global governance system. This support stems from India’s consistent advocacy for the needs and aspirations of the developing world. However, one notable obstacle remains China, which has not explicitly supported India’s bid and has often blocked India’s efforts in multilateral forums, including the UNSC.

India’s claim for a permanent seat on the UNSC is both valid and necessary in today’s global context. Its growing economic and strategic influence, historical contributions to peacekeeping, support for multilateralism, and advocacy for the Global South make it a deserving candidate. The UNSC, as the principal organ of global peace and security, must evolve to reflect contemporary realities. By including India as a permanent member, the UNSC would not only gain a strong voice for the developing world but also enhance its legitimacy and effectiveness in addressing the complex challenges of the 21st century. As global power continues to shift, the time has come for the UNSC to embrace reform and recognize India’s rightful place at the table. The inclusion of India would be a significant step towards creating a more representative and equitable global order.