INDIA ASSUMES UNSC PRESIDENCY FOR AUGUST

THE CONTEXT: India took over from France to assume the presidency of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for the month of August.

Analysis:

• This is the first presidency for India during its 2021-22 tenure as a non-permanent member of the UNSC.
• India is organising three high-level meetings focusing on its priority areas–maritime security, peacekeeping, and counter-terrorism.
• India will work as a voice of moderation, an advocate of dialogue and a proponent of international law.

ABOUT UNSC

• Established in 1945, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) is one of the five principal organs of the United Nations.
• It is charged with the maintenance of international peace and security as well as accepting new members to the United Nations and approving any changes to UN Charter.
• Its powers include the establishment of peacekeeping operations, the establishment of international sanctions, and the authorization of military action through Security Council resolutions;
• It is the only UN body with the authority to issue binding resolutions to member state
• A total of 15 members are there in the Council, out of which 5 are permanent and 10 are not permanent.
• The five permanent members include China, France, the Russian Federation, the United Kingdom, and the United States
• The non-permanent members are elected for two-year terms by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
• In June 2020, India was elected to the UNSC as a non-permanent member, winning 184 out of the 193 votes at the UNGA.
• This membership is for 2021-22. India was the only candidate from the Asia-Pacific category for the year 2021-22.
•  This is India’s eighth stint at the UNSC. Previously, India had been a member in the years 1950-1951, 1967-1968, 1972-1973, 1977-1978, 1984-1985, 1991-1992 and 2011-12