1

Summary

International Relations Class 21

## COUNTRIES/GROUPS OF COUNTRIES DEMANDING UNSC PERMANENT MEMBERSHIP (5:21 PM):

## I. G4 Countries:

- India, Japan, Germany, and Brazil demand permanent UNSC membership.
- Their demand is opposed by countries of **Coffee Club/United For Consensus (UFC) club** which is led by Italy and comprises around 40 countries like Pakistan, South Korea, Argentina, Canada, etc.
- Coffee Club calls for consensus before any decision is taken with respect to the size and form of the reform of UNSC.
- The Coffee Club contests the regional leadership claims of the G4 countries.
- Indian candidature is opposed by Pakistan.
- German candidature is opposed by Italy and Spain.
- Japan’s candidature is opposed by China and Australia.
- Canada, Australia, etc. are opposed to developing countries in general as they are net aid providers.
- Coffee Club asserts that the G4 are not even regional powers, yet they claim global power.
- G 4 countries have accepted willingness to have permanent memberships without Veto for 15 years.
- However, Coffee Club is still unhappy and has passed a resolution calling for a consensus before their candidature is accepted.
- The resolution was called the **Uniting For Consensus** resolution.
- Any change in permanent membership would need a 2/3rd majority in UNGA as per article 108 of the UN Charter.
- UNSC permanent membership is the most exclusive and powerful club of the UNO.
- |  |
  | --- |
  | - In the early 1990s, the USA was pushing to grant permanent UNSC membership to Germany & Japan. - This was because the USA wanted to reduce its burden of funding the UN. - India objected to the step by stating that "the UNSC permanent membership was not for sale". - Germany and Japan also contributed financially to the **first Gulf War in 1990.** |

## II. African Union :

- The African Union seeks two permanent seats in the UNSC with a veto.
- Their demand is led by====**C- 10**: It is a committee of ten countries led by====**Sierra Leone.**
- However, there is a lack of consensus with respect to which two countries of the African Union will gain permanent seats.
- Also through the **Ezulwini Consensus & Sirte Declaration,** they have agreed that they will not accept permanent membership of the UNSC without a Veto.
- However, there is no clarity as to which two African countries will hold the permanent seat in the UNSC.
- It is expected that the seats will be held by the AU to be rotated amongst its member countries.

## III. L-69 Countries:

- It consists of 42 developing countries, including **SIDS- Small Island Developing States**.
- India and Brazil are among their members.
- |  |
  | --- |
  | - India first raised the demand for permanent UNSC membership after the 1971 victory over Pakistan. - India emerged as the undisputed leader of South Asia. - After **Operation Poomalai**in 1987 in Sri Lanka, India reinforced its regional dominance. |
- Their aim is comprehensive UNSC reforms.
- It recognizes that any lack of reforms in progress in the UN will have serious implications for the credibility of the UN.

## Demands of L-69:

- It demands comprehensive reforms of the UNSC membership.
- They demand the expansion of permanent and non-permanent membership of the UNSC.
- They demand representation of SIDS, which comprise 20% of the total UN membership.
- They demand reform in the working methods of the UN.

## IV. Organization of Islamic Countries:

- It demands a permanent seat for an Islamic country.
- Their claims are unlikely to succeed as there is no provision for religious representation in the UNSC.

## VETO reforms:

- It has become a cause of deadlock in the UNSC, therefore Veto reforms are suggested.
- We could also see a similar deadlock regarding the Russia-Ukraine war.

## Suggestions:

- Abolishing the veto power of the P-5 countries is improbable.
- Whenever the UNSC is expanded, the new permanent members should not be given veto powers.
- This is because more veto power holders would mean more chances of deadlock.
- Most country's representatives must face elections in their own nations.
- They will choose selfish political interests over long-term global or even national interests.
- There should be restrictions introduced in the use of Veto powers of the P 5.
- Veto must be used on matters concerning the core national interests of the P 5 countries.
- Core interests relate to territorial integrity and security.

## Other procedural reforms:

- Transparency in the functioning of the UNSC.
- Better coordination with the UN General Assembly.
- In case of a deadlock in the UNSC, the UNGA must override the UNSC and take necessary actions.
- Consult the troop-contributing countries before deciding on the deployment of the peacekeeping missions.

## INDIAN CANDIDATURE TO UNSC AS PERMANENT MEMBER (6:05 PM):

## Reasons why India seeks permanent membership:

- It will establish India as an undisputed global power.
- India has for long nurtured the ambition to secure itself a rightful place in the comity of nations as a great civilizational power.
- Permanent members have a say in the internal workings of the UN.
- They are the primary rule-makers in the UN.
- **With Veto powers:**
- **(a)** India can ensure that the UN is not misused against India’s interests.
- **(b)**Presently India relies on France and Russia to veto resolutions threatening Indian national interests.
- **(c)** India will gain strategic leverage in its relations with other countries as for instance, China is important in Myanmar's strategic calculus

## India demands permanent UNSC membership on the following grounds:

- India’s size in terms of area and population; is 1/6th of humanity.
- India is the fifth largest economy in nominal GDP terms(at around $3.25 trillion) and the third largest in Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) terms.
- India has one of the largest militaries in the world.
- It has the world's fourth-largest army, seventh-largest navy, and third-strongest largest airforce.
- India is a de facto and responsible nuclear power state.
- India is an active participant in UN peacekeeping missions.
- India is the leader in developing countries/Global South.
- India is the world’s largest functioning liberal constitutional democracy.
- India has one of the largest cultural diversities present in any nation.
- The unique constitutional commitment to international peace and law- **DPSP article 51.**
- Civilizational values are conducive to world peace such as Vasudhaiv Kutumbakam, Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinaha, etc.

## BENEFITS TO UNSC AFTER INDIAN MEMBERSHIP (6:30 PM):

- Indian inclusion will make the UNSC more representative due to its position in the global south.
- India is a non-aligned country that takes principled stands on international issues based on merits.
- This would impart greater legitimacy to the UNSC.
- India can act as a bridge between the two rival bocks of P-5(USA, France, UK(P3) – China, Russia(P2).
- This is because India is one country in the world that has good relations with both Russia and the West.
- No country in terms of civilizational values and constitutional ideals is as close to the goals of the UNSC as India.
- Thus, Indian membership will impart credibility and legitimacy to the UNSC, and therefore the UN.

## Steps were taken by India in this regard:

- India is developing as well as strengthening partnerships with developed and developing countries through groups such as G4, L-69, etc.
- 4 of the P-5 countries except China support India’s candidature.
- India has served as a Non-Permanent of UNSC 8 times, and each time India has been elected with overwhelming support.
- Only once did India lose the bid for non-permanent UNSC membership in 1996 by Japan.
- India is willing to accept a **semi-permanent**member of the UNSC.
- It is a new category of membership suggested by a group of experts.
- Semi-permanent members would be elected for a period of 8-10 years and would be eligible for re-election.
- India is ready to join the UNSC, with or without a Veto.
- India is an important member of the L-69 group which seeks comprehensive membership reforms.

## Way Forward:

- UNSC membership reform would require an amendment to the UN Charter.
- Article 108 of the charter specifies that any amendment would require the consent of 2/3rd of the total membership, including concurring votes of the P-5.
- It means that each P-5 country has a veto over the process.
- P-5 is the most exclusive power club in the world whose membership has been unchanged since 1945.
- Thus, any such amendment to the UN Charter or expansion of the UNSC membership would be a challenging task.
- Until such an opportunity presents itself, India should focus on its own internal development rather than spending all its diplomatic and political energy in this race to 'superstardom'.

## INDIA-LATIN AMERICA-CARIBBEAN (7:00 PM):

![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/62/Latin_America_regions.svg/220px-Latin_America_regions.svg.png)

![](https://qph.cf2.quoracdn.net/main-qimg-124b0eaa670024fd507999a8e4b5a09e-pjlq)

- The Caribbean is further divided into greater and lesser Antilles.
- One of the very important lesser Antilles islands is **Trinidad and Tobago** which has a rich Indian diaspora.
- **Hispaniola** Island is divided into two countries Haiti and the Dominican Republic.

## Important organizations of the region:

## The Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) :

- It is an intergovernmental mechanism for dialogue and political agreement, which includes permanently thirty-two countries in Latin America and the Caribbean.
- It is a regional forum that brings together all of Latin America and the Caribbean countries.
- 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## Mercosur:

- MERCOSUR is a trading bloc in the South American region comprising Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay.
- It was formed in 1991 with the objective of free movement of goods, services, capital, and people and became a customs union in January 1995.
- ![](https://thumbs.dreamstime.com/b/mercosur-mercosul-organization-28513059.jpg)

## Pacific Alliance:

- This alliance is of the nations that share a coast with the Pacific Ocean.
- The members include **Chile, Peru, Columbia, and Mexico.**
- **Ecuador** is not a member because of the Andes mountains.

## Andean community:

- The Andean Community is a trade bloc of four countries - Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru.
- It is a **customs union,**like the Eurasian Economic Union (Russia, Kazakhstan, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, and Armenia).
- In a customs union, members have a free trade agreement among themselves and they have a common external tariff for the rest nations.
- ![](https://media.istockphoto.com/vectors/andean-community-countries-map-vector-id604024422)

## Importance of Latin America & Caribbean(LAC) for India:

## Energy security:

- Latin America accounts for 15% of India’s crude oil imports mainly from Mexico, Columbia, and Venezuela.
- **Such imports are important because:**
- It allows India to lessen its dependence on oil from politically volatile OPEC countries which operate as a **cartel** and charge **Asian Premium.**

## Cooperation on Climate change:

- Several LAC countries are members of the India-led **International Solar Alliance.**
- Bolivia, Chile, and Argentina hold most of the lithium reserves in the world and are referred to as **Lithium Triangle.**
- With India’s plans to roll out electric vehicles, it would require lithium supplies that are used in the batteries of such vehicles, and India does not have substantial lithium reserves.

## Food security:

- Latin America is five times the size of India with only half as much population.
- It has large tracts of fertile land which can be cultivated for India’s food security.
- Indian private entities are leasing land there and cultivating it.

## Trade and investment:

- India has a Preferential Trade Agreement with Chile and Mercursor.
- An FTA is being negotiated with Peru.
- Indian companies have invested in greenfield and brownfield projects in LAC.

## Geo-Political importance:

- It comprises more than 33 countries, and hence their support is essential to help India achieve its global ambitions such as permanent membership in the UNSC.
- Also, LAC and India share common goals vis-à-vis climate change, global trade, as well as terrorism.
- Thus, they can aid each other in global negotiations at global platforms like WTO, UNFCC, etc.

## Evolution of India-LAC relations:

- South America is considered the **forgotten continent**for the Indian foreign policy.
- The relations suffer from "out of sight out of mind" syndrome.
- Distance and language barriers have traditionally been believed as the main reasons for the diplomatic distance.

## EVOLUTION OF INDIA-LAC RELATIONS: (7:30 PM):

## I. Cold War Phase- 1950-1990:

- We were indifferent in relations despite shared colonial history and being developing nations.
- We were in different camps during the Cold War.
- India was an inward-looking nation- pessimistic towards exports and we focussed on import substitution.
- The energy needs were met from West Asia.
- So there was no reason as such to engage with one another.
- We saw some engagement in UNGA, NAM, G-77, etc.
- Indira Gandhi visited LAC which she referred to as the "Voyage of Discovery".

## II. After the Cold War:

- Not much emphasis for almost two decades till 2010.
- We see a growing emphasis on trade relations
- This was an example of "Flag (government) following trade (private sector)".
- in 2011, the Inter-America Development Bank 2011 announced that India would be LAC's "next big thing".
- CELAC( formed in 2010) held its outreach summit in New Delhi in 2012.
- In 2016, the UN Economic Commission for LAC suggested immense economic potential between India and LAC.

## China in Latin America:

- China started Food security, energy security, raw materials, etc.
- The most important reason is to counter American dominance in its sphere.

## Evidences of China in Latin America:

- China-LAC trade stands at around $ 253 billion.
- China has replaced the EU as the second largest trading partner of LAC; the first is still the USA.
- Chinese target for bilateral trade by 2025 is $500 billion, and $250 billion in investments.
- India-LAC trade is at around $30-$ 50 billion.

## Examples of Chinese investments in the region:

- **Canal Project in Nicaragua:**
- **![](https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/-_M1qTMPQXlI-t315cKUmgqsSNA=/1400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/3449366/_76119331_20140708_nicaragua_canal_624.0.jpg)**
- The **Trans-Oceanic railway** will connect an Atlantic port in Brazil to a Pacific port in Peru.
- ![](https://www.researchgate.net/publication/327390794/figure/fig2/AS:666551237767168@1535929607592/Trans-Oceanic-Railroad-Project.png)
- China has appointed special envoys for specific sectors.
- China has published many political and policy papers on its vision in the region.
- China got benefits from bad relations and American sanctions over Cuba, Venezuela, and Nicaragua.

## Differences in Indian and Chinese approaches in South America:

- |  |  |
  | --- | --- |
  | **Chinese Approach** | **Indian Approach** |
  | China practices extractive foreign relations- mineral mining for its industries. | Pushes capacity building or engagement with medium-small enterprises, and skill development. |
  | Elite-level wealth creation; has very little effect on common people. | Indian companies have created local employment there. |
  | The final Chinese aim is to turn LAC into a source of raw materials and a destination for dumping its goods | India aims for long-term and mutually beneficial engagement. |

## Challenges with the Indian approach in the region:

- China in Latin America.

## Very little high-level engagement:

- Very few visits of head of state.

## Very less diplomatic presence:

- Till 2019, Indian diplomatic presence was limited to only 15 LAC countries; China has in all the countries.

## No institutionalization of relations:

- No ASEAN, SAARC, or India-Africa Forum Summits, like bodies.
- India has not come out with any policy paper on Latin America.

## Less media coverage:

- It hampers public perception.

## Regional rivalry:

- Both Brazil and Argentina project themselves as a local leader.
- As a result, Argentina also opposes the Indian bid for a permanent UNSC seat.

## Role of external powers:

- American sanctions made India stop crude imports from Venezuela.

## Way Forward:

- Increasing high-level cooperation and diplomatic presence.
- Institutionalizing our presence.
- India must not be under pressure from third countries.
- India must follow its longstanding principle of following only UN sanctions.
- Bolster connectivity through direct flights, and ships must be promoted through maybe shouldering vessel insurance.
- Study of Latin American languages in Indian universities.

## The topics for the next class are regional organizations- BRICS, G 20.