India's UNSC membership: Democratic lawmakers introduce resolution in US House

A resolution was introduced by two influential Democratic lawmakers, including an Indian-American, on Tuesday in the US House supporting India’s permanent membership to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).

Ami Bera, Vice Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the longest-serving Indian-American in Congress introduced the resolution. He was supported by Frank Pallone, the founder of Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans. Introduction of this resolution in the House would officially put India’s bid for the membership.

Currently, the UNSC has seven original cosponsors.

While talking about the historic move, Bera said, “As the world’s oldest democracy and the world’s largest democracy, the United States and India share common values and a growing partnership on many fronts, especially defence cooperation.”

“India plays a critical role as a strategic partner for the United States and is a pillar of stability in South Asia.  The five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council reflect the world as it was 60 years ago, and it’s time we recognise India’s role increasing global prosperity,” he added.

Securing a permanent spot for India on the UN Security Council would strengthen democracy around the world, Bera said.

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Pallone also supported India’s bid for UNSC membership and said, “At a time when international relations are being redefined, we should acknowledge and empower those nations that share our enduring core values.”

Pallone said it was in the interests of the US and the world to have a UN Security Council whose members combine military strength with respect for democracy and pluralism, and an appreciation of the dangers posed by rouge states and terrorist groups.

“India belongs to the UN Security Council and it is imperative that Congress makes this clear to the Trump administration and the world,” he said.

The UN Security Council still reflects the world as it was in 1945 when the United Nations was created, a Congressional statement said.

Despite the fact that the UN has grown from 51 member nations at its inception to nearly 200, the Security Council has not grown to reflect these changes. There are currently five permanent members of the council, including the US, the UK, Russia, China and France.

The bill was introduced on the last day of the UN General Assembly session in New York.

(With PTI inputs)

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