Permanent UNSC seat inevitable, need for heightened efforts: EAM

PTI

Rajkot, April 2

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday expressed optimism about India’s eventual permanent membership in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), saying it is inevitable but emphasised the need for heightened efforts in this regard. Addressing intellectuals in Gujarat’s Rajkot city, the External Affairs Minister stressed that diligent work was essential to secure this coveted position.

Acknowledging the current dominance of five nations — China, France, Russia, the UK, and the US — as the UN’s original permanent members, the minister, however, said the international momentum was now favouring India’s bid for a permanent seat. The United Nations was formed around 80 years ago, and these five nations decided among themselves to become permanent members of its security council, Jaishankar said.

He highlighted the historical context of the UNSC’s formation, where five nations secured permanent membership, underscoring the evolving global landscape with around 193 countries today.

“But these five nations have kept their control, and it is strange that you have to ask them to give us their consent for a change. A few agree, a few others put forward their position with honesty, while others do something from behind,” he said. Jaishankar spoke about the collaborative proposals involving India, Japan, Germany, and Egypt which have been submitted to the UN, signalling progress.

“But now, there is a feeling across the world that this should change, and India should get a permanent seat. I see this feeling increasing every year,” he said, adding “we will definitely get it. But nothing big is ever achieved without hard work...we will have to work hard, and this time we will have to work even harder”.

He stressed the importance of mounting pressure, citing recent stalemates over conflicts like the Ukraine war and Gaza. Jaishankar linked the UN’s perceived weakening to increased opportunities for India’s bid for permanent membership saying, “...there is a feeling in the world that the UN has weakened.”

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