 "New Delhi and many of its international allies have long pushed for permanent UNSC membership. File Image / Reuters")
In an exclusive interview with CNN-News18’s Managing Editor Zakka Jacob, US-based economist Jeffrey Sachs made a case for India’s permanent membership in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).
Speaking in the context of the Russia-Ukraine war, Sachs said that he does not see the possibility of North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (Nato) membership for Kyiv. He also said that “neither will there be security guarantees from Nato.”
Sachs, a professor at the renowned University of Columbia, went on to say that there can and should be security guarantees from the UNSC. “I would like to see a final arrangement secured in the UN Security Council because we should be aiming tomake collective security in the world.”
He opined that the UN is very weak right now “but it could be strengthened if the US drops its unilateral veto all the time and if it comes to understand that in a multi-polar world, we need a multi-polar governance system.”
He added that one of his favourite initiatives is to “get India into the UN Security Council as a permanent member because that would make it a much much stronger body– a much more legitimate body.”
Watch Sachs’ full comment here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YkXyd4Ci5OM
India has been actively pursuing a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for decades, with significant momentum gained in recent years.
The country’s bid for permanent membership is based on several key factors:
India is the world’s most populous country and the 5th largest economy, making it a leader among developing nations.
It is one of the largest contributors to UN Peacekeeping Forces.
New Delhi has a strong track record of promoting global peace and security.
India continues to engage actively in the ongoing Inter-Governmental Negotiations (IGN) on UNSC reforms. The United States, France, and the United Kingdom have explicitly supported India’s bid for permanent membership.
However, China, currently a permanent member of the UNSC, and India’s regional rival, is not keen on the idea.
With inputs from agencies