In a huge victory for India, the U.S. backed India’s quest for gaining a permanent seat at the UNSC, later echoed in the Quad leader’s statement also which stressed making the body more representative, inclusive, transparent and democratic.
The White House said in a statement on September 22, ‘President (Joe) Biden shared with Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi that the US supports initiatives to reform global institutions to reflect India’s important voice, including permanent membership for India in a reformed UN Security Council.’
On the other hand, Quad leaders called for urgent reforms to the UNSC to make it more relevant in the current geopolitical realities and include Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean as permanent members.
They said in a statement, “We will reform the UN Security Council, recognizing the urgent need to make it more representative, inclusive, transparent, efficient, effective, democratic and accountable through expansion in permanent and non-permanent categories of membership of the UN Security Council.”
India’s diplomatic influence has received a major fillip in recent years.The rise of India’s global stature due to the independent nature of its strategic foreign policy has also led to an expansion of its diplomatic footprint. In an increasingly multi-polar world, India shares a tight relationship with Russia referring to Moscow as its best friend, at the same time has a robust and critical partnership with the West as well.
In yet another indication of India wielding greater power on the global stage, the United States has backed India’s candidacy for the United Nations Security Council earlier also. As a part of its renewed efforts to reform the powerful global body, US Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield called for a reformed and expanded UNSC.
Speaking at a talk hosted by the Council on Foreign Relations on September 11, the United States reiterated its long-standing support for the G4 nations- India, Japan, and Germany to gain permanent seats. Reaffirming US stance Linda Thomas said, “We have strongly expressed our support for India, Germany, and Japan. Their inclusion in the Council is essential. There are no justifiable grounds for denying India’s place, given its global importance.”
