India's non-permanent seat at UNSC

Why in news?

India has been backed by 54 nations of Asia-Pacific Group for United Nations Security Council (UNSC) non-permanent seat.

How are countries elected?

• Each year, the General Assembly elects five non-permanent members out of a total of 10, for a two-year term.
• These 10 seats are distributed among the regions thus:
  1. 5 for African and Asian countries (3 are for Africa and 2 for Asia);
  2. 1 for Eastern European countries;
  3. 2 for Latin American and Caribbean countries;
  4. 2 for Western European and other countries.
• The Africa and Asia Pacific group takes turns every two years to put up an Arab candidate based upon an informal understanding.
• Terms beginning in even-numbered years select 2 African members, and one each within Eastern Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Latin America and the Caribbean.
• Terms beginning in odd-numbered years consist of 2 Western European and Other members, and one each from Asia-Pacific, Africa, and Latin America and the Caribbean.
• 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.
• Formal balloting takes place at elections to all the main UN bodies.
• The 55-member Asia-Pacific Group gets to nominate one of its members for the June 2020 elections to a non-permanent seat on the UNSC for two- year term of 2021-2022.
• India has been nominated for this term.
• India has already held a non-permanent seat on the UNSC for seven terms.

How are countries elected among Asian contestants?

• There is no formalised a system of rotation of seats as per the region, as followed in Africa.
• The Asia-Pacific grouping often seen contests. Last year, there was a contest between Maldives and Indonesia.
• When contested, the elections for non-permanent seats can be fraught and can go on for several rounds. In 1975 and 1996, India lost the contest to Pakistan and Japan respectively.

What is the significance?

• The development is significant as Pakistan and China, with which India has had diplomatic challenges at the UN, supported the move.
• This endorsement means that India has a “clean slate” candidature i.e. there is no other contestant from the group for the elections.

Why is India keen to hold the seat?

• India has been keen because it wants it to coincide with the 75^th anniversary of Independence in 2022.
• It will also be hosting the G-20 meeting in New Delhi in that year.

Source: The Hindu, The Indian Express

Quick facts

United Nations Security Council (UNSC)

• The United Nations Charter established six main organs of the United Nations, including the Security Council.
• It gives primary responsibility for maintaining international peace and security to the Security Council, which may meet whenever peace is threatened.
• It has 15 Members, and each Member has one vote.
  1. Permanent members - 5 countries
  2. Non-Permanent members - 10 elected members - 2-year terms.
• Only the UNSC has the power to make decisions that member states are then obligated to implement under the Charter.
• It dispatches military operations, imposes sanctions, mandates arms inspections, deploys election monitors, etc.