SOURCE: AFI
A prominent voice has emerged, advocating for a significant shift in the composition of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). Former Singapore diplomat Kishore Mahbubani has argued that India should be granted a permanent seat on the UNSC, while the United Kingdom should relinquish its position.
Mahbubani’s assertion is rooted in the belief that India’s current global stature warrants a more prominent role within the UNSC. He posits that India is undeniably the third-most powerful country in the world today, surpassed only by the United States and China. In contrast, Mahbubani contends that Great Britain has lost its former global influence and no longer deserves a permanent seat on the council.
The diplomat’s argument is further bolstered by the observation that the UK has not exercised its veto power on the UNSC for decades, fearing international backlash. Mahbubani suggests that this reluctance to use the veto indicates that the UK’s position on the council is no longer as essential as it once was. He proposes that the UK should voluntarily relinquish its seat in favor of India, a move that would align the UNSC’s membership with the current geopolitical realities.
Mahbubani’s argument draws inspiration from the founding principles of the UN. He points out that the organization’s founders ensured that all great powers of the time had vested interests in the UN to ensure its effectiveness. By granting India a permanent seat, Mahbubani argues that the UNSC would better reflect the contemporary global power structure.
Additionally, Mahbubani suggests that relinquishing its permanent seat would allow the UK to pursue its foreign policy goals more independently, free from the constraints imposed by the UNSC. This argument highlights the potential benefits that such a move could bring to both the UK and the UN itself.
Mahbubani’s call for a reconfiguration of the UNSC is a significant contribution to the ongoing debate about the organization’s effectiveness and relevance in the 21st century. As the world continues to evolve, it is imperative that the UN’s governing bodies reflect the current global power dynamics.