India garnered 184 votes out of the 192 ballots cast in the UN General Assembly to win the election for the nonpermanent seat in the powerful Security Council. India’s two year term will begin on January 2021.This is the eighth time India will sit in this powerful council of the United Nations. The Security Council has five permanent members, namely France, Russia, UK, USA, and China.
Previously India has been elected as nonpermanent of the Security Council for the years:1950/51, 1967/68,1972/73,1977/78,1985/85,1991/92,and recently 2011/12.
Indian Ambassador to the UN TS Trimurti said that India’s election to the Security Council is a testament to PM Modis vision and his inspiring global leadership particularly in time of COVID-19.”India will become a member of the Security Council at a critical juncture and we are confident that in the COVID and Post COVID World India will continue to provide Leadership and a new orientation for a reformed multilateral system.” He added.
Along with India Mexico Ireland and Norway were also elected to the Council. They joined Estonia, Niger, St Vincent Grenadiers ,Tunisia and Vietnam as the other members. The distribution of seats for nonpermanent members is as per the following guidelines;
Total 10.
5 seats for African and Asian Countries.
1 seat for East European Country.
2 Seats for Latin American and Caribbean Countries.
2 seats for western European Countries.
As per the charter the Security Council has primary responsibility for the maintenance of International peace and Security .It has totally 15 members and each member has one vote. Under the charter of UN ,all member states are obligated to comply with the Councils decision.
In some cases the Security Council can resort to imposing sanctions or even authorize the use of force to maintain or restore International peace and Security. The use of mandatory sanctions is intended to apply pressure on a State or Entity to comply with the objectives by the Security Council. Sanctions thus offer the Security Council an important instrument to enforce its decisions.
Expressing his Happiness on India’s election PM Modi said” he was deeply grateful for the overwhelming support shown by the Global community for India’s membership, India will work with all the member countries to promote global peace resilience and equity.”
