India's strong bid for permanent membership of the UN Security Council -

Riyadh: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar asserted that as the world’s largest democracy, the world’s fifth largest economy, a nuclear-armed country and a global center of technology as well as a country with an ancient tradition of international engagement, India must get permanent membership of the United Nations Security Council. Jaishankar has warned that denying permanent membership to India would mean turning one’s back on geopolitical reality. In an interview with a daily during his visit to Saudi Arabia, India’s foreign minister outlined the country’s position on permanent membership of the Security Council.

Moreover, External Affairs Minister Jaishankar’s three-day visit to Saudi Arabia has concluded. Before that, External Affairs Minister Jaishankar met Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Besides, Jaishankar conveyed the message written by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Prince Mohammed bin Salman on this occasion. During the meeting between the two leaders, discussions were held on bilateral cooperation and the current developments in the world. Jaishankar has claimed that his visit to Saudi has been very fruitful. External Affairs Minister Jaishankar has also noted that cooperation between the two countries on other fronts is also growing, citing fuel transactions between India and Saudi Arabia.

Jaishankar’s interview with the Saudi newspaper during his visit is making headlines. In this interview, Jaishankar clarified that permanent membership of the UN Security Council is India’s right. Not including India as a permanent member of the Security Council would be like turning one’s back on geopolitical reality. External Affairs Minister Jaishankar warned that by giving India a permanent membership, not only will the UNSC fulfil its objectives of maintaining international security but also remain relevant. Even earlier, Jaishankar and other Indian leaders had warned that there was no option before the Security Council and the United Nations except to consider India for permanent membership. India has continuously demanded that the United Nations take the initiative to bring the necessary reforms.

It has recently come to light that India is overtaking China as the most populous country in the world. Experts who made this claim had said this strengthened India’s claim to the permanent membership of the Security Council. A few days ago, the Indian economy had overtaken Britain to become the fifth largest economy in the world. Considering the growing number of youth in the Indian society, the democratic system and India’s constructive role in staying within the framework of international norms, India should have permanent membership of the Security Council earlier. The United States, United Kingdom, France and Russia, which are currently permanent members, had announced their support for India’s membership. However, China is opposing India’s permanent membership.