UN Security Council

UN Security Council
insightsonindia.com/2019/06/27/un-security-council-3
InsightsIAS June 27,

2019
Topics Covered:
1. Important International institutions, agencies and fora, their structure, mandate.
UN Security Council
What to study?
For Prelims: About UNSC- composition, objectives and functions.
For Mains: Role and significance of UNSC, need for UNSC reforms, why India should be given
permanent membership?
Context: India’s candidature for a non-permanent seat in the Security Council has been
endorsed unanimously by the Asia Pacific group, which comprises 55 countries,
including Pakistan.
The endorsement means that India has a “clean slate” candidature – that is there is no
other contestant from the group – for the elections that will be held for five non-
permanent members next year, for the 2021-22 term.
Background:
India has been a non-permanent member of the Security Council eight time previously:
1950-51, 1967-68, 1972-73, 1977-78, 1984-85, 1991-92 and 2011-12. For the 2011-12
term, India won 187 of 190 votes after Kazakhstan stood down from its candidacy.
How are non- permanent members elected?
1. Each year, the General Assembly elects five non-permanent members out of a
total of 10, for a two-year term.
2. Distribution of seats: These 10 seats are distributed among the regions thus: five
for African and Asian countries; one for Eastern European countries; two for Latin
American and Caribbean countries; two for Western European and other countries.
3. Of the five seats for Africa and Asia, three are for Africa and two for Asia ; there is
an informal understanding between the two groups to reserve one for an Arab
country. The Africa and Asia Pacific group takes turns every two years to put up an
Arab candidate.
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4. Elections for terms beginning in even-numbered years select two African
members, and one each within Eastern Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Latin America and
the Caribbean. Terms beginning in odd-numbered years consist of two Western
European and Other members, and one each from Asia-Pacific, Africa, and Latin
America and the Caribbean.
5. Votes: Irrespective of whether a country is a “clean slate” candidate and has been
endorsed by its group, it needs to secure the votes of two-thirds of the members
present and voting at the General Assembly session (a minimum of 129 votes if all
193 member states participate). When contested, the elections for non-permanent
seats can be fraught and can go on for several rounds, In 1975, there was a
contest between India and Pakistan, which went to eight rounds. Pakistan won the
seat that year. In 1996, India lost a contest to Japan.
About UNSC:
What is it?
The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) is one of the organs of the United Nations
and is charged with the maintenance of international peace and security.
Its powers include the establishment of peacekeeping operations, the establishment of

international sanctions, and the authorization of military action through Security Council
resolutions; it is the only UN body with the authority to issue binding resolutions to
member states.
Members: The Security Council consists of fifteen members. Russia, the United Kingdom,
France, China, and the United States—serve as the body’s five permanent members.
These permanent members can veto any substantive Security Council resolution,
including those on the admission of new member states or candidates for Secretary-
General.
The Security Council also has 10 non-permanent members, elected on a regional basis to
serve two-year terms. The body’s presidency rotates monthly among its members.
Proposed reforms:
Reform of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) encompasses five key issues:
categories of membership, the question of the veto held by the five permanent
members, regional representation, the size of an enlarged Council and its working
methods, and the Security Council-General Assembly relationship. There is also a
proposal to admit more permanent members.
India’s demands:
India has been calling for the reform of the UN Security Council along with Brazil,
Germany and Japan for long, emphasising that it rightly deserves a place at the UN high
table as a permanent member.
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Why India should be given a permanent seat in the council?
India was among the founding members of United Nations.

It is the second largest and a one of the largest constant contributor of troops to
United Nations Peacekeeping missions.
It has been a member of UNSC for 7 terms and a member of G-77 and G-4, so
permanent membership is a logical extension.
Facts for prelims:
The G4 Bloc: Group of 4 countries , (Germany ,Japan , Brazil ,India) bidding for permanent
seats in the UN Security Council.
The Coffee Club or Uniting for Consensus: Group of countries opposed to the G4. They
favoured the expansion of the non-permanent category of seats with members to be
elected on a regional basis
Italy, Spain, Argentina, Canada, Mexico, South Korea and Pakistan.
Sources: Indian Express.
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UN Security Council

InsightsIAS June 27,

1. Important International institutions, agencies and fora, their structure, mandate.

For Prelims: About UNSC- composition, objectives and functions.

How are non- permanent members elected?

Its powers include the establishment of peacekeeping operations, the establishment of

India was among the founding members of United Nations.

Facts for prelims:

Italy, Spain, Argentina, Canada, Mexico, South Korea and Pakistan.

Sources: Indian Express.

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