Question

Justify India's claim for permanent membership of the United Nations Security Council with any four criteria.

Hint:

Four criteria are: very large population, largest democracy, growing economy and long service in UN peacekeeping missions.

Answer 1

Step 1: Understand the demand:
The Security Council has five permanent members with veto power. India has asked for a permanent seat for many years.
A country gets such a claim on the basis of its size, strength and record at the United Nations. Four such criteria are given below.

Step 2: Criterion 1: Population:
India is among the most populous countries in the world, with about one-sixth of humanity.
A body that decides on world peace should speak for a large share of the world population. India meets this test.

Step 3: Criterion 2: Largest democracy:
India is the largest democracy in the world and has held regular free elections since 1952.
Its stable democratic system shows respect for rights, law and peaceful change, which suits a world peace body.

Step 4: Criterion 3: Growing economy:
India has one of the fastest growing large economies and is a member of G-20 and BRICS.
A permanent member must be able to bear financial and global responsibility, and India has the economic weight to do so.

Step 5: Criterion 4: Record in UN peacekeeping:
India has taken part in UN activities since the beginning and has sent thousands of troops to peacekeeping missions in many countries.
This long and steady contribution shows that it supports the aims of the Charter.

Final Answer:
India deserves a permanent seat on four grounds: very large population, largest democracy, growing economy and a long record in UN peacekeeping. These show that a Council with no seat for India does not reflect the world of today.