EDITORIAL OPIATE TATHAGATA SATPATHY
Some seven decades into the formation of United Nations, there is growing clamour for UN reforms. Integral to this is the expansion of the five-member Security Council. It is notable that a high-power panel has come up with a report further stressing the need for reforms, with a finding that the UN is not equipped to tackle today’s global challenges. The report, which put on record what’s obvious, comes ahead of the 70th anniversary function of UN in September when world leaders meet to set new goals for mankind’s most exalted yet under-performing organization.
For the world at large, it has been a long haul from the days of 1945, the aftermath of World War II. The world body started with a membership of 51, its express purpose being to avert future wars and promote peace and human development. Today, it has a membership of 193, four times the original number, and yet the Security Council number and composition remain unchanged. The high-level panel, headed by former US secretary of State Madeleine Albright, has stressed on this aspect, and said “increasing the legitimacy of the Council by expanding its membership in line with present-day realities” was of importance.
It must be noted that the five members who form part of the Security Council – US, UK, France, China and Russia — remain among the top economic super powers, going by GDP count. But nations like Japan, India and Brazil are not faring bad either; rather the economies of Brazil and India have recorded major upswings in recent times. In terms of population, what should be another indicator for added importance to India is its billion-plus people — one-seventh of global population – and yet it remains outside the Security Council. While saying this, we are aware that some kind of weird ‘patriotism’ is coming into play in the minds of Indians clamouring for a seat in this council. Not to undermine these sentimental issues, Albright’s point should be taken on a larger canvass.
Admittedly, as an overpopulated country, India could dream of a seat in the Security Council. Yet, it is also a prominent opinion that meeting India’s demand could, very easily, open the floodgates. Nations like Pakistan, Indonesia, Brazil, Israel and many other big and small nations would demand a seat. Therefore, population alone cannot be an issue of merit. In a world plagued by barbaric violence as perpetrated by the beacon of the Moslem world- ISIS, a country like Israel definitely deserves much more international support. It is the only country which is sitting on the heart of the turmoil being generated by Islamic fundamentalists. If countries like India enjoy some kind of balanced peace in their neighbourhood, a great deal of credit would go to Israel.
Therefore, India should refrain from making an issue of the Security Council seat. Let the Council not become another General Assembly. India, instead, could prepare itself for a more active international role by decreasing its population and increasing its economic and military effectiveness. It is also to be kept in mind that the sheer numbers of India scares the Moslems. Their diktat to the ‘faithful’ is to increase their numbers. India has to find a fine balance.
