India’s bid to become a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) will be one of the top agendas to be discussed “prominently” during French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to New Delhi this month. President Macron will visit India as Chief Guest for the 75th Republic Day celebrations. On many occasions in the past, France has already supported India’s candidature for a permanent seat in the top world body.
“This time round, a comprehensive and substantial strategy has to be put in place for India’s quest for UNSC permanent seat. So, during Macron’s visit, it won’t only be discussion and statements of support. Rather, the Indian side would be focused on formulating a concrete and larger strategy in talks with the French delegation about how to move forward in that direction,” a diplomat aware of the preparations ahead of Macron’s visit told The Daily Guardian.
“Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Macron will hold a detailed discussion on the issue of UN reforms including India’s bid for a permanent seat at UNSC,” he added. France is expected to work more closely with India at the international platforms to explore ways to garner support from various countries on this matter.
There is a need to put pressure on China who is creating roadblocks for India’s UNSC mission, diplomatic sources said, adding that France along with the other permanent members such as Russia, the UK and the US will be trying to persuade China not to create any obstacle. So the issue will be discussed during Macron’s visit in its entirety.
“The French side is expected to share its perspective on UN reforms and also its plan on how to create a positive atmosphere paving the way for India getting permanent membership of the UNSC,” officials said, adding, “PM Modi would share his perspective on the issue, explaining what India expects from France in this matter.”
Meanwhile, the government recently told a Parliamentary panel that India is “regularly and consistently” engaging with other countries to garner support for its claim to a permanent seat at the premier world body UNSC. Underlining that “eliciting support remains a work in progress”, it said that three of the six nations comprising the GCC have so far backed India’s claim. Similarly, four of five permanent members of the UNSC have also supported India’s bid. During the G20 Summit in New Delhi, PM Modi called for remodelling world bodies in accordance with “realities of the present” — he cited the UNSC as an example.
India has already said at the United Nations saying that it shares its collective angst with the countries of Global South that on the issues of core concern to the South, “we have no voice at the high table”.
India has also called out the nature of the Inter-Governmental Negotiations (IGNs), an informal mechanism at the United Nations to address the question of reforms in the UN Security Council, slamming the lack of transparency in the process put in place in 2008.
Only two days back, former Belgium prime minister Yves Leterme has strongly advocated for the permanent inclusion of India in the United Nations Security Council, asserting that such a move will enhance the council’s legitimacy and representation.
Leterme contended that there is a need for the United Nations Security Council to adapt to the realities of the 21st century as it requires representation that goes beyond the structures established in the 20th century. During his talks with PM Modi on the sidelines of the G20 Summit, President of the United States Joe Biden had also reiterated his support for India’s permanent membership of a “reformed” United Nations Security Council.