India, recognized as the ‘third most-powerful country’ globally, deserves a permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), according to Kishore Mahbubani, a former Singaporean diplomat and ex-president of the UNSC. He emphasized that India’s growing influence and power should be reflected in its representation at the highest level of global governance.
UK Should Step Aside for India
Mahbubani argued that the United Kingdom, one of the current five permanent members of the UNSC, should ‘step aside’ to make way for India. He pointed out that the UK, once a dominant global power, no longer holds the same level of influence. “There is absolutely no question that India is the third most-powerful country today after the United States and China. The Great Britain (UK) is no longer great,” Mahbubani asserted.
UK’s Veto Power and Its Relevance
Highlighting the UK’s reluctance to use its veto power in the UNSC for decades, Mahbubani suggested that the logical course of action would be for the UK to relinquish its seat to India. This proposal is grounded in the belief that India, as a rising global power and the fifth-largest economy in the world, should have a more prominent role in international decision-making.
India’s Economic Ascendancy
India’s economic achievements further bolster its claim. The country, which gained independence from British rule in August 1947, overtook the UK as the fifth-largest economy in September 2022. This economic milestone underscores India’s growing global significance.
Current UNSC Structure
The UNSC comprises fifteen members: five permanent members (the US, UK, France, China, and Russia), each holding veto power, and ten non-permanent members without veto power. These non-permanent seats are allocated on a rotational basis. India has served as a non-permanent member of the UNSC eight times, most recently in 2021-22.
Support from G4 Nations
India’s bid for permanent membership in the UNSC is supported by the G4 nations—Brazil, Germany, India, and Japan. These countries mutually support each other’s aspirations for a more representative and equitable Security Council.
Need for UN Reforms
Addressing potential reforms in the United Nations, Mahbubani noted that the founders of the UN designed the organization to ensure that all great powers of the time had vested interests in its success. This principle remains vital for the effective functioning of the UN, suggesting that adjustments to the UNSC’s composition might be necessary to reflect the current global power dynamics.
Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs):
- According to Kishore Mahbubani, which country should ‘step aside’ to make room for India as a permanent member of the UNSC?
a) China
b) France
c) United Kingdom
d) Russia
Answer: c) United Kingdom - What is the rank of India in terms of global power, according to Mahbubani?
a) First
b) Second
c) Third
d) Fourth
Answer: c) Third - How many permanent members are there in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC)?
a) 5
b) 10
c) 15
d) 20
Answer: a) 5 - Which group of nations supports each other’s bid for permanent membership in the UNSC?
a) BRICS
b) NATO
c) G4
d) ASEAN
Answer: c) G4 - When did India overtake the UK to become the fifth-largest economy in the world?
a) August 1947
b) January 2021
c) September 2022
d) May 2002
Answer: c) September 2022