Ex-UNSC chief backs bid for permanent seat by India, ‘world’s third-most powerful country'
According to former Singaporean diplomat Kishore Mahbubani, the UK, one of the five permanent members of the Security Council, should ‘step aside’ for India.
As the ‘third most-powerful country’ in the world, India should get its ‘rightful place’ as a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), according to ex-Singaporean diplomat Kishore Mahbubani, a former president of the top UN body.
An overall view as the UN Security Council holds a meeting on the situation in the Middle East at UN headquarters on June 10, 2024 in New York. (Photo by ANGELA WEISS / AFP)
{{^htLoading}} {{/htLoading}}
The United Kingdom, one of the five permanent members, should ‘step aside’ for India, he said.
“There is absolutely no question that India is the third most-powerful country today after the United States and China. The Great Britain (UK) is no longer great,” Mahbubani told NDTV.
On why he thinks that the UK should relinquish its permanent membership, Mahbubani, who headed the UNSC between January 2001 and May 2002, stated that fearing ‘backlash,’ the UK has not used its veto power ‘for decades.’
“So, the logical things is to give up its seat to India,” Singapore's former Permanent Representative to the UN, added.
India, where the British rule ended in August 1947, is the fifth-largest economy in the world, having surpassed the latter in September 2022.
{{^htLoading}} {{/htLoading}}
{{^usCountry}}
The US, UK, France, China, and Russia, hold the five permanent seats in the Security Council, where India has had eight terms as a non-permanent member, most recently in 2021-22.
{{/usCountry}}
{{#usCountry}}
The US, UK, France, China, and Russia, hold the five permanent seats in the Security Council, where India has had eight terms as a non-permanent member, most recently in 2021-22.
{{/usCountry}}
There are fifteen members of the UNSC – five permanent (each with veto power) and 10 non-permanent (no veto power). The non-permanent seats are allotted on a rotational basis.
The G4 nations – Brazil, Germany, India, Japan – support each other's bids for a permanent membership.
Meanwhile, speaking on potential reforms in the United Nations, Mahbubani, the ex-UNSC chief, remarked that the founders of the world body ensured that ‘that all great powers of the time had vested interests in the organisation in order to make it work.’
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.
Get the latest India News, breaking headlines and real-time updates from across the country. Stay informed about politics, government policies, crime, weather and major national developments.
Get the latest India News, breaking headlines and real-time updates from across the country. Stay informed about politics, government policies, crime, weather and major national developments.
Home/India News/Ex-UNSC chief backs bid for permanent seat by India, ‘world’s third-most powerful country'
{{^htLoading}}
Advertisement
{{/htLoading}}
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
{{#usCountry}}{{/usCountry}}
Hindustantimes wants to start sending you push notifications. Click allow to subscribe
