India elected as a Non-Permanent member of UNSC for the 8th time
On June 16, 2020, India was elected for a non-permanent seat from Asia-Pacific in the United Nation Security Council. Out 192 votes, 184 voted in favour of India.
- The Architect
- June 21, 2020
- 4:52 pm
- No Comments

This win brings a huge responsibility on India’s shoulder and also an opportunity to rise as a global power. But this also brings a dilemma in front of India about choosing a side in the ongoing cold war between Communist China and the USA. This decision will not be an easy one for a country which is one of the founding members of the non-alignment movement.
In a one-of-a-kind election amid #COVID19, #UNGA elects @IndiaUNNewYork, @MexOnu, @irishmissionun, & @NorwayUN as non-permanent members of the Security Council for 2-year terms.
— United Nations (@UN) June 17, 2020
A second round of voting will be held Thursday to fill the last vacant seat. https://t.co/svznemQth6 pic.twitter.com/HCzomD18Yb
India, which has abstained from speaking on various issues like the Yemen crisis, Chinese interference in Taiwan and Hong Kong and various other humanitarian crises will now have to speak or take a certain stand on a matter that will come across the united nations security council. Abstaining will also be counted as a side. With world again moving towards polarisation, the decision making will also signify our international relations with nations voting in favour or opposition on any issue.
The rampant use of Veto power by permanent members in the last couple of years has downgraded the importance of the UN Security Council. Post cold war, the UNSC came to work fine as the member states had a consensus on various matters mostly due to the US being a powerful nation and no one was there to challenge their hegemony. With the rise of China as an economic power, the world order shifted a bit and the consensus broke as China become assertive of their power.
Hearty congratulations to India’s successful election to the @UN Security Council. The United States looks forward to working with India for a more stable, secure, and prosperous world. #USIndia pic.twitter.com/f6LKVYE1hJ
— Ken Juster (@USAmbIndia) June 18, 2020
The selection process in UNSC is simple. The world is divided into various groups in UNSC and each group is allotted a seat. This grouping is unofficial. This term was officially for Afghanistan but a year ago they had declared that they will not be taking part in elections so India came forward and got elected. Normally a consensus is developed to avoid elections if it is not developed then elections are sought.
Prior to this India has been elected in 1950-1951, 1967-1968, 1972-1973, 1977-1978, 1984-1985 and 1991-1992, 2011-2012. The term will start from January 1 2021. Other countries that were elected are Ireland, Kenya, Mexico and Norway.
India 🇮🇳 looks forward to working with the newly elected members: @irishmissionun 🇮🇪@KenyaMissionUN 🇰🇪@NorwayUN 🇳🇴@MexOnu 🇲🇽
— India at UN, NY (@IndiaUNNewYork) June 19, 2020
For our 2-year term on the Security Council (2021-22)
Thanking all U.N. member states for reposing trust in our candidatures.
🙏🙏🙏 pic.twitter.com/D1tQkuFFeh
This term will also be very crucial as post COVID-19 pandemic, the world order will change. India will have an opportunity to put forward their side in the meetings whether official or unofficial meetings. As during the scrapping of Article 370, China called an unofficial meeting and only member countries attend the unofficial meetings, so India was not allowed.
This election also becomes crucial as China is becoming more aggressive with every day passing towards his neighbour and the world is only becoming more chaotic. In a recent press briefing, the USA referred to China as a rogue state.
While the world is battling with coronavirus and communist China is busy is peddling their propaganda, it remains to be seen what side will India choose in the UN Security Council Meetings.