The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has welcomed Mozambique and Switzerland as its newest member states. These two nations will serve as non-permanent members for the 2023-24 term, filling the seats left vacant by the departing Norway, Ireland, Mexico, Kenya, and India.
A ceremony, inaugurated by Kazakhstan in 2018, was held to mark the beginning of the new members’ tenure on the council. The UNSC is a body of 15 member countries, five of which are permanent (France, Russia, China, the UK, and the US) and possess absolute veto power. The remaining ten members are non-permanent and serve for a predetermined period of time.
As global events such as the Russo-Ukrainian war, the Covid pandemic, and global terrorism have proliferated in recent years, discussions surrounding the establishment of a new global order and the need for reforms within the UNSC have intensified. India, in particular, has been a vocal advocate for reforms and has also campaigned for a permanent seat on the council.
Most member states, with the exception of China, support India’s position. Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar recently emphasized the necessity for reforms within the UNSC, stating that the 77-year-old council is no longer trusted by many nations and that a refreshed global order is necessary. He also noted that those who benefit from veto and permanency are opposed to reforms.
Currently, India presides over the Counter-Terrorism Committee of the UNSC and has emphasized the importance of collective efforts by member states to combat global terrorism. In recent weeks, India has also condemned Pakistan for fostering terrorism and supporting terror financing, and has faced ongoing disputes with China over the Line of Actual Control.
The diplomatic relationship between India and Pakistan has also been strained in recent years. In the UNSC, India continues to raise these issues and push for necessary reforms within the council.
