Politics
After France’s Macron, UK’s Starmer Backs India’s Bid for Permanent UN Security Council Seat
After France’s Macron, UK’s Starmer Backs India’s Bid for Permanent UN Security Council Seat
During the 79th United Nations General Assembly meeting, Keir Starmer, Prime Minister of the UK, announced backing India’s proposal for a permanent seat on the UN Security Council. His support follows French President Emmanuel Macron making a similar plea—together they are helping build international support behind calls to reform UNSC structures.
Keir Starmer Advocates for UNSC Reform
During his address to the UN General Assembly, Starmer highlighted the importance of restructuring the UNSC in order for it to more accurately represent today’s ever-changing geopolitical world. He declared, “The Security Council must change if it is to become a body that can act in the interests of all and not remain paralyzed by politics.” Starmer also called for Africa to have its own permanent seat on the council, while saying Brazil, Germany, India, and Japan should also be included as permanent members—by Allan Olingo.
UN Security Council Overview
There are currently 15 members of the UNSC, five of which—China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States—have the ability to veto decisions. Ten non-permanent members, who alternate two-year terms with these permanent members, are also present.
The council’s responsibilities include upholding international peace and security, whether through the use of peacekeepers or the imposition of sanctions on those thought to pose a threat to these. It also has a significant impact on the conclusion and aftermath of wars, a fact that has prompted numerous observers to call for changes to the council’s mandate in order to better reflect the current balance of power.
Macron’s Call for Efficiency and Inclusivity
A day before Starmer’s remarks, French President Emmanuel Macron also called for India’s inclusion as a permanent UNSC member. Macron highlighted the importance of making the UN more efficient and representative. “We need to make it more representative, and that’s why France is in favor of the Security Council being expanded,” Macron said during his address.
The Push for UNSC Reform
Since 1979, people have discussed whether it is fair that some countries are overrepresented on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). Recently, though, wars and other problems have made more nations say the same thing—tthey want this to change. The US government has agreed with these countries.
It thinks India should become a member with special voting powers like Britain, China, and France already have. But China does not agree: it wants things to stay as they are. Indian politicians have also been talking about this lots too! They reckon if there were an extra six members (Brazil, Germany, Japan, and themselves), it might work better.
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In fact, the Indian government even reckons UNSC needs them all in charge!!! Now when some of your best friends back you up, there could be quite good reasons for that, couldn’t there? So when London and Paris started saying the same kind of things as New Delhi—wow! People began thinking: Maybe this idea’s time has finally come round at last… Even so, don’t hold your breath for any big changes on the horizon because getting everyone with a veto to agree could still be mission impossible, just like always—incredible but true!
