UNGA chief Dennis Francis hopeful about India's permanent UNSC seat
United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) President Dennis Francis has expressed confidence in India's ability to become a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), ANI reported on Tuesday. He reportedly termed having a permanent UNSC seat a "weighty responsibility" but acknowledged that India could handle the role. However, Francis emphasized that the decision and timeline for India's permanent membership would depend on the ongoing reform agenda within the UNSC and the consensus of UN members.
Why does this story matter?
India has been pitching for a permanent seat at the UN high table since the 1990s. It also sought reforms in the UN body, arguing that it doesn't represent the current geopolitical realities. Notably, out of the five permanent members of the 15-nation UNSC, France, the United Kingdom (UK), Russia, and the United States (US) have batted for India's permanent seat. To recall, the latest two-year term of India as a non-permanent member ended in December last year.
Permanent membership 'weighty responsibility' but not beyond India's capacity: Francis
In an interview with ANI, Francis said, "To become a permanent member is an extremely weighty responsibility, which I am sure is not beyond the capacity of the government of India." "The question of when that will happen will be for the members of the United Nations to decide, in the context of the reform agenda that's taking place within the [UNSC]," he said. The UNGA president also congratulated India on its ambitions to become a member of the UNSC.
Francis praised India as 'voice of Global South'
Francis reportedly praised India as a "voice of the Global South" and applauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi's move to include the African Union in the G20 bloc. The African Union became a full member of the G20 under India's presidency last month. The UNGA chief said India's diversity and rich culture make it a role model for the world, with valuable lessons to share with the Global South and the entire international community.
Security Council reform 'ongoing process': UNGA chief
Moreover, Francis reiterated that the UNSC reform was not simply an event but rather an "ongoing process." He further said that, as such, India's potential ascension to a permanent UNSC seat would depend on how this reform process unfolds and how UN members collectively decide on its outcome. Notably, inclusion as a permanent member would likely further cement India's position as a global leader and enhance its ability to contribute to international peace and security efforts.
India's role in UNSC, international support
Last year, India wrapped up its two-year term as a non-permanent member of the UNSC, during which it actively pushed for reforms within the council. India's bid for a permanent seat has received support from four current permanent members—France, Russia, the UK, and the US—while China continues to show resistance. Last month, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar asked the UN to take inspiration from the inclusion of the African Union in the G20 and "make the Security Council contemporary."
