G-4 Nations and UNSC reforms

Why is it in news?
  • Recently, India and other Group 4 countries reaffirmed their commitment to multilateralism and called for the early reform of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).
G-4 Nations
  • The G4 nations comprising Brazil, Germany, India, and Japan are four countries which support each other’s bids for permanent seats on the United Nations Security Council.
  • Unlike the G7, where the common denominator is the economy and long-term political motives, the G4's primary aim is the permanent member seats on the Security Council.
  • Each of these four countries has figured among the elected non-permanent members of the council since the UN's establishment.
  • Their economic and political influence has grown significantly in the last decades, reaching a scope comparable to the permanent members (P5).
  • However, the G4's bids are often opposed by the Uniting for Consensus movement, and particularly their economic competitors or political rivals.
Major Roadblocks to India’s Journey to UNSC Permanent Membership
  • P5 Resistance: Permanent members never get to a consensus to allow expansion of council and offer permanent seat to another country. China being India’s rival will always veto down any such agreement for India.
  • India’s economic contribution: Compared to P5 Countries India’s contribution to Security Council budget is very minimal, which again discredits its claim to join council as a permanent group.
  • International diplomacy: India is seen as a soft country, especially on matters related to Middle East and gulf countries. It maintains neutrality and puts its own interest before taking a hard stance. This is misinterpreted by P5 countries as India’s inability to offer and sanction extreme measures. Especially US is not comfortable with this behaviour.
  • India’s closeness with Japan will also be a major reason for China’s objection.
  • The structure of UNSC is very complex. For India to be a permanent members, it needs the nod off 2/3rd of the general members with the support of P5 which requires an amendment to the UN charter act
  • With superpowers like Germany and Japan already in queue, India’s admission is a farfetched dream.
Source
The Hindu



Posted by Jawwad Kazi on 27th Sep 2018