Jaishankar gearing up to lead India’s campaign for non-permanent seat at UN Security Council
India's periodic campaigns for UNSC non-permanent seats and its long-standing demand for permanent membership are recurring GS II themes. The diplomatic dynamics — competing with Tajikistan, securing OIC/regional bloc support — illustrate India's multilateral strategy. This also connects to broader debates on UNSC reforms and India's aspiration to be a permanent member.
Key facts
- India is campaigning for a non-permanent UNSC seat for the term 2028-29.
- EAM S. Jaishankar will formally launch the campaign on July 13.
- Countries supporting India include Fiji, USA, Austria, and Sri Lanka.
- Tajikistan is a competing candidate and has already secured the OIC (Organisation of Islamic Cooperation) bloc's support.
- The UN Security Council has 10 non-permanent members elected for 2-year terms by the UN General Assembly.
- India last held a non-permanent UNSC seat in 2021-22.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar will launch India's campaign for a non-permanent seat at the UN Security Council during 2028-29 on July 13. India has received support from countries such as Fiji, United States, Austria, and Sri Lanka, but will have to do considerable diplomatic heavy lifting as Tajikistan has already secured the support of the OIC bloc.
Concepts to know
The UNSC is the UN's primary body for maintaining international peace and security. It has 5 permanent members (P5) with veto power and 10 non-permanent members elected by the UN General Assembly for 2-year terms on a regional group basis.
Non-permanent members are elected by the UNGA for 2-year terms and are not eligible for immediate re-election. They do not hold veto power but participate in all Council deliberations and voting on resolutions.
The OIC is the second-largest intergovernmental organisation after the UN, with 57 member states. Its collective bloc support in UNGA elections is diplomatically significant, as seen in Tajikistan securing OIC backing for the UNSC seat.
UNSC reform refers to proposals to expand permanent and non-permanent membership to make it more representative of today's geopolitical realities. India, along with G4 nations (Brazil, Germany, Japan), advocates for a permanent seat in an expanded Council.
G4 is a grouping of Brazil, Germany, India, and Japan that mutually support each other's bids for permanent UNSC membership as part of the broader UN reform agenda.
Linked previous-year questions
The UPSC questions this story connects to.
Consider the following statements: 1. The Charter of the United Nations Organization was adopted at Geneva, Switzerland in June, 1945. 2. India was admitted to the United Nations Organization in the year 1945. 3. The Trusteeship Council of the United Nations Organization was established to manage the affairs of territories detached from Japan Italy after the second World War or such territories not under the control of a country at that time. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1, 2 and 3 (b) 2 only (c) 2 and 3 (d) 3 only
- a.1, 2 and 3
- b.2 only
- c.2 and 3 ✓
- d.3 only
International Relations · UPSC 2005Consider the following statements: 1. Kofi Annan, the UN Secretary General is from Nigeria. 2. Kofi Annan is the First UN Secretary General to be appointed from the ranks of the United Nations Staff. 3. Kofi Annan was appointed for a second term to the office of the UN Secretary General. Which of the statements given above are correct? (a) 1, 2 and 3 (b) 1 and 2 only (c) 2 and 3 only (d) 1 and 3 only
- a.1, 2 and 3
- b.1 and 2 only
- c.2 and 3 only ✓
- d.1 and 3 only
International Relations · UPSC 2006With reference to the "United Nations Credentials Committee", consider the following statements: 1. It is a committee set up by the UN Security Council and works under its supervision. 2. It traditionally meets in March, June and September every year. 3. It assesses the credentials of all UN members before submitting a report to the General Assembly for approval. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 3 only (b) 1 and 3 (c) 2 and 3 (d) 1 and 2
- a.3 only ✓
- b.1 and 3
- c.2 and 3
- d.1 and 2
International Relations · UPSC 2022With reference to the United Nations General Assembly, consider the following statements: 1. The UN General Assembly can grant observer status to the non-member States. 2. Inter-governmental organisations can seek observer status in the UN General Assembly. 3. Permanent Observers in the UN General Assembly can maintain missions at the UN headquarters. Which of the statements given above are correct? (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3
- a.1 and 2 only
- b.2 and 3 only
- c.1 and 3 only
- d.1, 2 and 3 ✓
International Relations · UPSC 2022Regarding the office of the Lok Sabha Speaker, consider the following statements: 1. He/She holds the office during the pleasure of the President. 2. He/She need not be a member of the House at the time of his/ her election but has to become a member of the House within six months from the date of his/her election. 3. If he/she intends to resign, the letter of his/her resignation has to be addressed to the Deputy Speaker. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 3 only (c) 1, 2 and 3 (d) None
- a.1 and 2 only
- b.3 only ✓
- c.1, 2 and 3
- d.None
Polity · UPSC 2012Consider the following statements about Lokpal: I. The power of Lokpal applies to public servants of India, but not to the Indian public servants posted outside India. II. The Chairperson or a Member shall not be a Member of the Parliament or a Member of the Legislature of any State or Union Territory, and only the Chief Justice of India, whether incumbent or retired, has to be its Chairperson. III. The Chairperson or a Member shall not be a person of less than forty-five years of age on the date of assuming office as the Chairperson or Member, as the case may be. IV. Lokpal cannot inquire into the allegations of corruption against a sitting Prime Minister of India. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) III only (b) II and III (c) I and IV (d) None of the above statements is correct
- a.III only ✓
- b.II and III
- c.I and IV
- d.None of the above statements is correct
Polity · UPSC 2025
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