Washington: As the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) will elect five new non-permanent members to the council on Wednesday, chances of India grabbing a seat from the Asia-Pacific category for the 2021-22 term is almost certain.
India is the sole candidate vying for the lone seat from the group. As a single seat is vacated each year from the Asia-Pacific group, only one country can make it to the UNSC.
The candidature of India was unanimously endorsed by the 55-member Asia-Pacific grouping, including China and Pakistan, in June last year. Each year the General Assembly elects five non-permanent members out of ten in total, for a two-year term.
India’s last stint at the UNSC was in 2011-12. This will be the seventh two-year term as non-permanent member.
What is Security Council does :
The Security Council has primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security. It has 15 Members, and each Member has one vote. Under the Charter of the United Nations, all Member States are obligated to comply with Council decisions.
The Security Council takes the lead in determining the existence of a threat to the peace or act of aggression. It calls upon the parties to a dispute to settle it by peaceful means and recommends methods of adjustment or terms of settlement. In some cases, the Security Council can resort to imposing sanctions or even authorize the use of force to maintain or restore international peace and security.
