Need a reformed Security Council: India
UNITED NATIONS: India has underscored the need for a reformed UN Security Council that better reflects the geographical and developmental diversity of the United Nations today, emphasising that the majority of the world body’s membership supports calls for expanding permanent seats in the powerful organ.
India has been at the forefront, especially leading the Global South, demanding reforms in the United Nations and seeking a place as a permanent member of the 15-member UN Security Council.
“India is in favour of expansion of UN Security Council membership in both the permanent and non-permanent categories, as this is the only way to achieve genuine reform of the Security Council and make it legitimate, representative, responsive and effective,” India’s Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Ruchira Kamboj said Monday.
Addressing the Inter-Governmental Negotiations (IGN) meeting on Security Council Reform on Co-Chairs Elements Paper, Kamboj underlined the need for “a reformed Security Council that better reflects the geographical and developmental diversity of the United Nations today.
“A Security Council where voices of developing countries and unrepresented regions, including Africa, Latin America and the vast majority of Asia and Pacific, also find their due place at the horseshoe table. And for this, an expansion of the Council in both categories of membership is absolutely essential.” The current UNSC comprises five permanent members (the US, the UK, China, France and Russia) and 10 non-permanent members. She noted that some member states keep pushing the argument that expansion in the permanent categories of the UNSC would be ‘undemocratic’.
“We fail to understand how something that is clearly being called for by the majority of the membership would be ‘undemocratic’. We cannot continue to be hostage to a minority in the IGN,” she said, in an apparent reference to countries like Pakistan, which has been opposing the expansion in permanent categories of the UNSC.
Kamboj noted that expansion in the permanent categories is a position supported by the majority of Member States. “This fact is on record,” she said as she cited the 2015 Framework Document, on the issue of “Categories of Membership”. A total of 113 Member States, out of 122 who submitted their positions in the Framework Document, supported expansion in both of the existing categories specified in the Charter.
“This means that more than 90 per cent of the written submissions in the document were in favour of expansion in both categories of membership specified in the Charter. On the contrary, longer-term non-permanent seats which was an idea mooted during the inception of the UN, to only be discarded due to its ineffectiveness cannot be treated as a convergence, as it is only backed by a handful of member states,” she said.
The Uniting for Consensus (UfC) group that includes Pakistan and China is opposed to the creation of new permanent members in the Security Council. The UfC model entails a Security Council with 26 seats, with an increase only in the non-permanent, elected members. It proposes creating nine new long-term seats with immediate re-election possibilities. Last month, India presented a detailed model on behalf of the G4 nations of Brazil, Germany, Japan and itself for Security Council reform.
India has been at the forefront, especially leading the Global South, demanding reforms in the United Nations and seeking a place as a permanent member of the 15-member UN Security Council
such as contesting the Coimbatore Lok Sabha seat and selecting candidates like Ganapathi Rajkumar. Allegations from BJP’s K Annamalai suggest that Balaji, through phone calls from prison, is orchestrating election strategies for DMK functionaries on the ground, particularly TRB Rajaa, Tamil Nadu’s Industries minister overseeing the campaign in Coimbatore.
Conversely, AIADMK candidate Singai Ramachandran has fueled conspiracy theories suggesting that DMK fielded a weak candidate in Coimbatore intentionally to facilitate Annamalai’s victory, raising suspicions of a potential quid pro quo arrangement for Balaji’s bail release. Notably, both Annamalai and Balaji hail from Karur.
Balaji’s political trajectory spans multiple parties, showcasing his knack for navigating Tamil Nadu’s complex political terrain. Despite facing allegations in the cash-for-jobs scam dating back to his tenure as Transport Minister, Balaji’s reputation for tackling challenges precedes him. His strategic manoeuvres have left a mark, from defeating prominent opponents to securing victories for his allies, notably aiding DMK’s success in the Kongu belt.
His role in rejuvenating DMK’s presence in Coimbatore, despite initial scepticism, highlights his strategic acumen and appeal among voters. Balaji’s ability to mobilise support, even from communities traditionally aligned with AIADMK, underscores his political prowess.
As Tamil Nadu gears up for the
Lok Sabha elections, Balaji’s influence remains crucial, particularly in the Kongu region, where DMK aims to make significant inroads. With the state assembly elections looming in 2026, Balaji’s strategic guidance becomes even more pivotal for DMK’s prospects.
Despite his incarceration, Balaji’s shadow looms large over Tamil Nadu’s political landscape, shaping alliances, strategies, and electoral outcomes.
On the other hand, the INDIA bloc, comprising parties such as Congress, CPI, CPI(M), VCK, MDMK, Makkal Needhi Maiam, Indian Union Muslim League, and Kongu Desa Makkal Katchi alongside the DMK, is anticipated to dominate the electoral landscape. Recent surveys suggest that the DMK could clinch 31 seats, with Congress likely to secure 8, aligning closely with the 2019 election outcomes. The DMK, as the primary force within the INDIA bloc, is projected to command a vote share of 54.7 per cent, while the AIADMK trails behind at 27.8 per cent.
Interestingly, the BJP is forecasted to witness a rise in its vote share compared to the 2019 General Elections, although it is not expected to win any seats outright. Independent candidates and regional parties not aligned with major alliances are predicted to accumulate approximately 6.8 per cent of the total vote share.
The political landscape in Tamil Nadu, particularly in Coimbatore and Karur constituencies, is witnessing dynamic shifts and strategic manoeuvres as the Lok Sabha elections approach. While BJP candidate Annamalai rallies support with his fervent appeals for Prime Minister Modi and criticism of the DMK, the spectre of Senthil Balaji looms large despite his incarceration, sparking intrigue and speculation about his potential influence from behind bars. Annamalai’s campaign, characterised by his assertive persona and promises of bridging the gap between the people and the BJP government, underscores the intensity of the electoral contest in Tamil Nadu. Meanwhile, Senthil Balaji’s enduring political clout and strategic prowess continue to shape alliances and strategies, showcasing the intricacies of Tamil Nadu’s political dynamics.
As voters prepare to cast their ballots, the political narratives woven by Annamalai, Balaji, and other key players will undoubtedly influence the outcome of the elections, reflecting the complex interplay of personalities, ideologies, and regional dynamics in Tamil Nadu’s political arena.