United Nations Security Council (UNSC) – Structure, Functions, and India’s Role in Global Peace
The UNSC is a critical topic in UPSC GS Paper 2 (International Relations) and essay writing. Questions often address UNSC structure, reform debates, India’s aspirations, veto power, and its role in global peacekeeping and governance reforms.
Introduction
The United Nations (UN), established in 1945 in the aftermath of World War II, is the world’s foremost international organization dedicated to maintaining peace, security, and fostering cooperation among countries. At the heart of its peacekeeping mandate stands the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), tasked with ensuring international peace and security in a rapidly changing global context. In today’s world—witnessing conflicts like the Russia-Ukraine crisis, growing terrorism, and persistent regional disputes—the UNSC’s decisions shape the course of peacekeeping, sanctions, and global diplomacy. For India, the UNSC represents both an opportunity and a challenge as it seeks a leadership role in global governance.
Composition and Structure
The Security Council’s structure is a reflection of post-WWII geopolitics. It comprises 15 members, divided into two categories:
- Five permanent members (P5): United States, United Kingdom, France, Russia, and China. These countries have special veto powers allowing them to block any substantive resolution.
- Ten non-permanent members: Elected by the UN General Assembly for two-year terms, distributed across regions (Africa, Asia-Pacific, Latin America & Caribbean, Western Europe & Others, Eastern Europe) to ensure equitable representation.
Every year, five new non-permanent members join the Council, with seats rotating regionally. The presidency of the UNSC, a mostly procedural role, rotates monthly among the members. This structure has remained largely unchanged since 1946, causing debates about the Council’s effectiveness and representativeness as new economic and strategic powers rise.
Functions and Powers of the UNSC
The UNSC’s primary function is to maintain international peace and security, as outlined in Chapters VI and VII of the UN Charter. Its unique status as the only UN body able to pass binding resolutions on all member states gives it substantial authority.
Key Functions:
- Investigating disputes: The UNSC assesses situations that could threaten peace, recommends peaceful settlements, and initiates diplomatic interventions.
- Peacekeeping Operations: The Council authorizes UN peacekeeping missions, setting their mandates, troop composition, and rules of engagement. Examples include operations in Cyprus, Congo, Bosnia, and Rwanda.
- Sanctions: Imposing economic, travel, or arms sanctions on nations or entities viewed as security threats (e.g., North Korea, Iran).
- Military Action: Authorizing collective military action against aggressors (e.g., Iraq 1991, Libya 2011), and direct interventions under international law.
- Admission of New Members: Recommending admission for new UN members.
- Appointment and Oversight: Plays a role in selecting the Secretary-General and electing judges of the International Court of Justice.
The UNSC has responded to diverse crises including the Korean War, decolonization struggles, genocide interventions (Rwanda), and modern threats like terrorism, nuclear proliferation, and cyber warfare.
Decision-Making and Veto Power
UNSC decisions require at least nine votes out of fifteen. However, on substantive matters, approval from all five permanent members is required, as any can exercise their veto power to block a proposal.
- Procedural matters: Decided by an affirmative vote of nine, without concern for vetoes.
- Substantive matters: Need nine votes plus no veto from any P5 member.
Impact and Criticism
The veto system is often criticized for enabling P5 members to block action in pursuit of their own strategic interests, even in the face of majority opposition. Examples include:
- Russia’s repeated vetoes on resolutions concerning Syria and Ukraine.
- The United States’ vetoes related to Israel-Palestinian issues.
This practice can lead to UNSC “paralysis,” undermining its credibility as a global peacekeeper. Many believe that the frequent use and abuse of vetoes hinder timely responses to humanitarian crises.
India and the UNSC
India has played a significant, if limited, role in the UNSC, having been elected as a non-permanent member eight times (most recently for the 2021-22 term). India’s contributions include:
- UN Peacekeeping: Over 250,000 Indian personnel have served, making India one of the largest troop contributors.
- Advocacy for Disarmament: India has been a vocal supporter of nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation.
- Counterterrorism: India pushes the agenda for a global framework to counter terrorism, naming terror as a principal global threat.
- Equitable Representation: India actively campaigns for reforms that democratize the UNSC, especially inclusion of developing nations.
Aspirations for Permanent Membership
India, often with Germany, Japan, and Brazil (G4 nations), seeks a permanent seat, arguing that the UNSC’s composition no longer reflects contemporary geopolitical realities. India’s case is bolstered by its large population, economic power, strategic location, and leadership in peacekeeping. Support from countries like France, UK, and USA exist, though not unanimously among P5.
Need for UNSC Reforms
Calls for UNSC reform stem from several criticisms:
- Outdated Representation: The Council reflects 1945 realities rather than today’s multipolar order. Africa, Latin America, and Asia are underrepresented among permanent members.
- Geopolitical Paralysis: The veto system often stymies action, especially on urgent humanitarian and security crises.
- Lack of Inclusiveness: Many believe that without reform, the Council risks losing legitimacy and effectiveness.
Proposals include expanding the number of permanent members (with or without veto powers), increasing non-permanent seats, and reforming the veto process. However, P5’s reluctance and procedural complexities create formidable barriers to change.
Reform Proposals and India’s Vision
India leads calls for expanding both categories of membership, advocating for transparent, inclusive processes for admission and decision-making. Key approaches:
- G4 Proposal: Advocates for permanent membership for India, Germany, Brazil, and Japan.
- Uniting for Consensus (Coffee Club): Counters the G4 by suggesting more non-permanent members, rejecting new permanent seats.
- Arguments for Inclusion: India emphasizes its credentials—population, economic growth, peacekeeping record, democratic governance, and leadership in the Global South.
India’s reform efforts link to broader multilateral movements—G20, QUAD, BRICS—with the goal of strengthening the world’s rule-based order and reflecting the new distribution of global power.
Challenges and the Way Forward
Despite wide support for reforms, resistance lingers among the P5 and groups fearing dilution of influence. Diverging interests and lack of consensus among UN member states further stall meaningful progress. India persists with cross-regional diplomacy, South–South cooperation, and active engagement in emerging platforms, seeking to build momentum for change.
The future of the UNSC depends on its ability to adapt to global changes. As new actors rise, reformed institutions will be necessary to maintain legitimacy and effectiveness in safeguarding peace and security.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. What is the United Nations Security Council (UNSC)?
A1. The UNSC is one of the six principal organs of the United Nations, primarily responsible for maintaining international peace and security. It has the unique authority to pass binding resolutions, impose sanctions, authorize military action, and oversee peacekeeping operations.
Q2. How many members are there in the UNSC and what is the composition?
A2. The UNSC is comprised of 15 members: 5 permanent members (China, France, Russia, the UK, USA—all with veto power) and 10 non-permanent members who are elected by the General Assembly for two-year terms on a rotational basis.
Q3. What is the veto power and who holds it?
A3. The five permanent members each hold veto power, enabling them to block any substantive resolution regardless of international majority support. This power often influences major global decisions and is a central point of UNSC reform debates.
Q4. What are the main functions of the UNSC?
A4. Key functions include preventing and resolving international conflicts, authorizing peacekeeping, imposing sanctions, approving UN membership admissions, appointing the Secretary-General, and making decisions that member-states are legally bound to implement.
Q5. Why does India seek permanent membership in the UNSC?
A5. India argues that the current UNSC structure is outdated and unrepresentative. As the world’s most populous democracy and a major peacekeeping contributor, India seeks a permanent seat to reflect contemporary geopolitics and advocate for developing nations.
Q6. What is G4 and how is it related to UNSC reforms?
A6. G4 refers to the group of countries—India, Germany, Japan, and Brazil—pushing for permanent UNSC membership for themselves, aiming for more balanced regional representation and a stronger voice for emerging powers.
Q7. What are the major obstacles to reforming the UNSC?
A7. Key challenges include resistance from current permanent members (P5) wary of losing influence, lack of consensus among broader UN membership, and divergent visions between reform proponents (like the G4) and other blocs (such as the Uniting for Consensus group).
