HighLights
  1. India receives collective V4 support for permanent UN Security Council seat.
  2. Visegrad Group nations endorse India's claim as an emerging global power.
  3. Permanent UNSC membership grants veto power and significant global influence.

New York: In a major boost for India's long-standing campaign for a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council, it has received collective support from four Central European countries on the sidelines of the 81st UN General Assembly in New York. While speaking to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar during their first-ever formal meeting with India, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia and the Czech Republic, members of the Visegrad Group (V4), endorsed New Delhi's claim .

"We all agree as V4 countries that India, as part of the Global South, an upcoming superpower in the Indo-Pacific region, must be at the table as a permanent member of the UN Security Council," Slovak Foreign Minister Juraj Blanar stated after the talks with Jaishankar.

India's stand on UNSC membership

For decades, India argues that the Security Council's structure fixed long ago in 1945. At that time, much of Asia and Africa remained under colonial rule. New Delhi underlines, the current status at UNSC no longer reflects today's geopolitical and economic realities.

Notably, New Delhi has served eight terms as a non-permanent member, most recently in 2021–22.

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India has strong case of securing permanent seat

India is amon the world's largest population. This ultimately converts into growing economy, significant contributions to UN peacekeeping, and active role in issues ranging from counterterrorism to maritime security. Officials stress that reform is needed not only to include India but to restore the Council's credibility and legitimacy. Jaishankar, on multiple occassions, pointed out from the global dias that the UN has become a paper stamp body, whose influence is now reduced to mere a "statement giving" organisation.

Obstacles remain

The five permanent members (P5) have yet to agree on the scale of expansion, regional distribution, or whether new permanent members should receive veto power. China has avoided explicit endorsement, saying it "understands and respects" India's aspirations while insisting on broader consensus. India maintains that any new permanent members must enjoy the same rights as the existing P5, rejecting a two-tier system.

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Key powers and privileges of a permanent member of UNSC

Veto power: Any P5 member can block any substantive resolution or decision with a single "no" vote, even if the rest of the world and all other council members support it.

Binding decision-making: The Security Council is the only UN body that can issue legally binding mandates on all UN member states, such as imposing economic sanctions, trade embargoes, or authorising military force.

Permanent presence: Unlike the 10 elected non-permanent members who rotate every two years, permanent members have uninterrupted representation and can convene or act at any moment of global crisis.

Global leverage and vetting: P5 nations play a decisive role in shaping international peacekeeping missions, selecting the UN Secretary-General, and admitting new member states to the United Nations.

Geopolitical prestige: Holding a permanent seat cements a nation's status as a top-tier global superpower and a primary architect of international law and security.

(With inputs from agencies)

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