India on UNSC reform document
Context
Recently, India adopted “Pact of the Future” at a UN summit, which for the first time included a detailed commitment to reform the UN Security Council (UNSC).
- This move highlights the step towards making the council more representative, inclusive, and accountable.
- The adoption of the pact portrays a breakthrough for India in the long-standing demand for UNSC reforms.
Relevance:
GS-02 (International relations)
Key Highlights
- Pact of the Future: It was adopted by consensus at the UN summit to bring comprehensive reforms of the UNSC by acknowledging the urgent need for it to become more representative, inclusive, transparent, efficient, effective, democratic, and accountable.
- India’s Response: Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri highlighted that although the document does not address every aspect of reform that India advocates, he termed it a “good beginning.”
- Global Recognition of Reform Needs: The pact emphasizes the importance of redressing historical injustices, especially towards Africa, and to expand the security council to reflect the realities of the present world and include under-represented and unrepresented regions, including Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and the Caribbean.
About United Nations Security Council (UNSC):
- UNSC is one amongst the other five principle organizations of the United Nations (UN).
- The primary responsibility of the council is to maintain international peace and security.
- The Security Council ensures to act against any aggression and checks the threat to peace.
- Under the Charter of the UN, all Member States are obligated to comply with UNSC decisions.
- It indulges in dispute settlement by peaceful means and recommends methods of adjustment or terms of settlement. It even imposes sanctions and also authorizes the use of force to maintain or restore international peace and security.
- Members: It has 15 Members, and each Member has one vote.
- It also has 5 permanent members known as P5 (United Kingdom, China, France, Russia, and the United States) who have veto power over decisions of UNSC .
- 10 non-permanent members: Each year, the 193-member General Assembly elects five non-permanent members to the UNSC for a two-year term.
- These members are selected to ensure balanced geographic representation: five from Africa or Asia, one from Eastern Europe, two from Latin America, and two from Western Europe or other regions.
- The Security Council is permanently located at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City.
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