With the emergence of geopolitics so complex and radical, the UN is facing severe challenges to resolve the issues. Refusal to implement the UN resolutions on Palestine and Kashmir by Israel and India for more than seven decades, the UN seems helpless. So many other issues in many parts of the world remain unsolved and the UN’s role is undermined. Under this scenario, the reform of the UN is unavoidable. UNSC is also required to reform in a manner to solve the global crisis.
India is trying to get a permanent Security Council seat, which is illogical and irrational. It is a defaulter to the UNSC and the root cause of many problems in the region. It has been ruled by an extremist political party – BJP. Under the Modi rule, the extremist has been promoted officially, minorities were suppressed, human rights were violated, law and order situation deteriorated. If fully charged India gets a UNSC seat, global peace and stability are at stake.
Read more: Pakistan defeats India’s UNSC permanent membership bid
Pakistan strongly opposed the Indian intention for a permanent seat in UNSC
And achieved another diplomatic milestone at the UN General Assembly by blocking an Indian attempt to be eligible for the UN Security Council (UNSC) permanent position as part of the group-4.
India through its group at the UN G-4, comprising Brazil, India, Germany, and Japan was lobbying for expansion in the UN’s most powerful body Security Council. G-4 members support each other’s bids for permanent seats at UNSC. All these countries want to be in the UNSC. A top Pakistani diplomatic source said the entry of these countries into the UNSC is simply not possible with two-thirds support by the UNGA which this group does not have.
Due to Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts, a resolution has been adopted by UNGA concerning the question of equitable representation on an increase in the membership of the UNSC and other matters related to it, and the commitment of the heads of the state and government representing the people of the world to instill new life in the discussions on reforms of the UNSC.
Diplomatic sources termed the adoption of this resolution as an endorsement of Pakistan’s stance on continuing the dialogue on the UNSC expansion. Pakistan as a member of the ‘group of consensus’ suggested before the UNGA that there should be more seats for the Security Council but for two to three years and not on a permanent basis, having two seats each for Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
Read more: US blocks Pakistan’s UNSC resolution to blacklist Indian terrorist
UFC, nicknamed the Coffee Club, at the UN is a diplomatic move that developed in opposition to the possible expansion of permanent seats in the United Nations Security Council. Under the leadership of Italy, Pakistan is an active member of Uniting for Consensus (UFC). The group consists of Italy, Pakistan, Columbia, Turkey, Spain, EU, Malta, Argentina, Mexico, South Korea, and San Marino. UNGA adopts resolution concerning equitable representation on increasing UNSC membership
The UFC aims to counter the bids for permanent seats proposed by G4 nations and is calling for a consensus before any decision is reached on the form and size of the UNSC. Diplomatic sources told The Nation that Pakistan convinced the world body that India does not qualify to be a UNSC member because of its worst human rights violations and violations of the UN Security Council resolutions, therefore it should not be considered for the race.
Sources said interestingly, the United States also did not support G-4 of which India is also part of their candidature for UNSC membership. Pakistani diplomatic sources said that the US wanted to favor G-4 but without veto powers which are not acceptable for G-4.
Pakistani diplomatic sources also made it clear to the world body that India and Japan in Asia, if given permanent membership of the UNSC, cannot represent Pakistan in any way.
Pakistani sources said Pakistan as part of the UFC group is eligible for UNSC membership as its largest UN peacekeeping contributor which has been recognized by the UNGA.
Read more: Pakistan furious on India blocking it second time from speaking at UNSC on Afghanistan
Pakistan also convinced UNGA that under UN Charter, any country which has the worst record for peace and security cannot be considered for UNSC permanent members and India truly falls in such a category.
The Muslim world has no representative in the UNSC
Although there are around 2 billion Muslims living in various parts of the world, almost every fourth or fifth person is Muslim. There are 57 Muslim countries, above all, the Muslim world is blessed with an abundance of natural resources, especially energy – Oil and Gas. The Muslim world is a major trading partner in the global economy and a major contributor too. There are a few Muslim countries that fulfill the criteria and meet merit for the UNSC, like Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Pakistan, Malaysia, Indonesia, etc.
Read more: India assumes UNSC Presidency: Is Pakistan worried?
The international community may oppose the Indian ambitions strongly if global peace and stability are desired. There was a time, India was known as a secular and democratic state, but, it has been hijacked by extremists and is no longer a secular or democratic country. It has emerged as an extremist Hindu state, and democracy has deteriorated extremely. It is not mature enough to join UNSC permanently. It is not qualified and not a responsible state. Otherwise, the UN may lose its reputation and become a disputed institution.
Author: Prof. Engr. Zamir Ahmed Awan, Founding Chair GSRRA, Sinologist (ex-Diplomat), Editor, Analyst, Non-Resident Fellow of CCG (Center for China and Globalization). (E-mail: awanzamir@yahoo.com). The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of Global Village Space.