India’s aspiration for a permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has been a longstanding geopolitical ambition. As one of the largest and most populous democracies in the world, a significant contributor to global peacekeeping missions, and a rapidly growing economy, India’s desire for permanent membership is rooted in its increasing global influence. The question arises: Why has India not yet secured this seat despite substantial international support? This article delves into the complexities, including historical decisions, diplomatic challenges, and potential benefits, while highlighting the central obstacles India faces on its path to the UNSC’s top tier.

What is the United Nations Security Council?

The UNSC is one of the six principal organs of the United Nations, tasked with maintaining international peace and security. It is unique in that it has the authority to make binding decisions, such as imposing sanctions or authorizing military action. The Council has 15 members: five permanent members (P5) with veto power – China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States – and ten non-permanent members elected for two-year terms. Permanent membership grants countries significant influence over global peace and security decisions, especially through the veto power, which allows any of the P5 to block UNSC resolutions unilaterally.

India, with its burgeoning geopolitical and economic importance, aims to become a permanent member of the UNSC. However, the journey has been fraught with diplomatic, political, and historical hurdles.

Why India Deserves a Permanent Seat

1. Global Contributions: India is the world’s largest democracy and has consistently advocated for peaceful resolutions to international disputes. Its contributions to United Nations peacekeeping operations are substantial. India has participated in more than 50 of these missions, deploying over 2,00,000 troops, making it one of the largest contributors of personnel to UN peacekeeping efforts.
2. Strategic Diplomacy: India maintains a delicate balance in its foreign policy. It has managed to sustain positive relations with nations across ideological divides, including both the United States and Russia. India’s strategic neutrality allows it to be a potential mediator in global conflicts.
3. Economic Growth: India’s rapid economic rise has made it one of the largest economies in the world. Soon, it is expected to be the world’s third-largest economy, which strengthens its claim for a more significant role in global decision-making structures.
4. Representation for Developing Nations: A permanent seat for India would bring much-needed representation to the Global South and provide a voice for developing countries, which are often underrepresented in global decision-making bodies.

International Support for India’s Bid

India’s efforts for permanent membership have garnered significant support from many nations across the globe. The United States, Russia, France, the United Kingdom, and even smaller neighbouring countries like Bhutan have endorsed India’s bid. Recently, during the 2024 United Nations sessions, former British Prime Minister David Cameron and American officials like Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield reiterated their support for India’s inclusion in the UNSC.

Countries such as Japan, Germany, and Brazil have also supported India’s bid, often together with India under the G4 coalition, a group advocating for UN reforms and expanded permanent membership. Russia, an ally of India, has been a longstanding supporter, with its Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov reiterating Russia’s position as recently as October 2024.

However, despite these endorsements, India faces significant obstacles, primarily from one major geopolitical player – China.

China, the only Asian country in the P5, has been the most significant stumbling block in India’s quest for a permanent seat. China’s veto power gives it the ability to block India’s bid, and it has historically exercised its influence to keep India out.

Several reasons explain China’s stance:

1. Regional Rivalry: China and India share a complicated history marked by border disputes, economic competition, and growing military tensions. As the only Asian permanent member, China’s influence is magnified, and it is reluctant to allow another major Asian power to share the spotlight. India’s inclusion would dilute China’s regional influence and status within the UNSC.
2. Veto Power Politics: China has used its veto power 16 times, many of which were aimed at countering India’s interests, particularly concerning Pakistan. For instance, China in the past had blocked India’s attempt to label Pakistani terrorists like Masood Azhar as global terrorists, using its veto power to protect its ally Pakistan. This highlights China’s willingness to use its UNSC status to counterbalance India’s influence in South Asia.
3. Power Balance: With India’s growing economy and military strength, China sees India as a challenger in both Asia and on the global stage. Beijing fears that an empowered India in the UNSC could hinder its own geopolitical ambitions, especially regarding its influence over Asia.

Historical Context: Nehru’s Decision and Its Repercussions

A significant point of debate in India’s UNSC journey dates back to the 1950s, when Jawaharlal Nehru, India’s first Prime Minister, reportedly declined an offer for India to become a permanent UNSC member, instead favouring China’s inclusion. During the early Cold War period, India aimed to maintain its non-aligned policy and did not want to take sides between the US and Soviet blocs. Nehru felt that excluding China, then a newly formed Communist state, from the UNSC would exacerbate tensions in the region.

In a letter written to then Home Minister of India – C. Rajagopalachari, Nehru expressed his reluctance to accept the seat at the expense of China. He believed that the “exclusion of China from the UNSC would be unjust and that China’s place should be prioritized over India’s”. Critics argue that this decision has had long-term consequences, enabling China to use its veto power against India in multiple instances since then.

Nehru’s rejection has been a topic of intense debate within India, especially in the context of how China has used its position to undermine India’s global standing. The topic resurfaced during political discussions, with various leaders blaming Nehru for missing a strategic opportunity that could have benefited India immensely.

Since 2014, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India has renewed its efforts to secure a permanent seat in the UNSC. Bharat’s foreign policy has emphasized a more assertive and proactive stance, focusing on regional leadership and leveraging India’s economic and strategic significance.

1. Act East and Neighborhood First Policies: Modi’s government adopted the “Act East” and “Neighborhood First” policies to strengthen ties with neighbouring countries and other Asian nations. These initiatives aimed to position India as a regional power capable of playing a stabilizing role in South Asia, thereby strengthening its case for a UNSC seat.
2. UN Reforms Advocacy: Modi and India’s diplomatic corps have consistently advocated for reforms within the United Nations. India has pushed for restructuring the UNSC to reflect the realities of the 21st century, emphasizing that the current structure is outdated, with its roots in a post-World War II world order.
3. Global Endorsements: India’s diplomatic outreach has resulted in widespread support from various nations, as evidenced by votes favouring India’s non-permanent membership. For instance, in 2020, India received 184 out of 192 votes to secure a non-permanent seat on the UNSC for the 2021-22 term.

The Importance of Veto Power and What It Means for India

One critical advantage of a permanent UNSC seat is the veto power. This privilege allows any permanent member to block resolutions, giving them significant influence over global affairs. China has repeatedly used this power to counter India’s interests, particularly in shielding Pakistan from international scrutiny.

If India gains veto power, it could counterbalance China’s influence, especially on sensitive issues such as Kashmir and cross-border terrorism. The veto could also provide India leverage in international negotiations and allow it to protect its national interests more effectively in a rapidly changing global landscape.

India’s quest for a permanent UNSC seat is a complex journey intertwined with history, diplomacy, and global geopolitics. While India enjoys significant international support, the main challenge remains China’s opposition. Achieving this ambition would require not just reforms within the UN but also navigating the intricacies of power politics at the highest levels of global governance.

India’s inclusion would provide greater representation for the developing world and contribute to a more balanced global order. Whether or not India secures this seat in the near future, its determination and sustained efforts underline the country’s growing importance on the world stage. The question remains: Will global powers rise to the occasion and reform an institution born out of the ashes of World War II to reflect modern realities? Only time will tell.