US wants India to be a permanent member of ‘reformed UNSC’, NSG

The United States reaffirmed its support for India to be a permanent member of a “reformed” United Nations Security Council, a joint statement from the recent India-US 2+2 summit said. American officials also extended support for India to get a permanent membership in the Nuclear Suppliers Group.

The 2+2 diplomatic summit was attended by India’s External Affairs minister S. Jaishankar and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. State Department chief Antony Blinken and Pentagon head Lloyd Austin were present in the American delegation.

A joint statement from the dialogue said that the “ministers reiterated their commitment to work together in close coordination at the UNSC and in international organisations”, PTI reported.

The joint statement added, “The US reaffirmed its continued support for India’s permanent membership in a reformed UNSC and for India’s entry to the Nuclear Suppliers’ Group.”

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Washington also praised India’s role in three core committees of the UN Security Council: the 1988 Taliban Sanctions Committee, the 1970 Libya Sanctions Committee and the 1373 Counter-Terrorism Committee. India is currently a member of the 15-seat committee for the 2021-2022 term. 

Why are the UN Security Council and Nuclear Suppliers Group important?

The two international bodies are considered to be the top diplomatic institutions across the world. Membership in these groups is so exclusive that no country has managed to break the P5 (permanent five members of the UNSC).

The UNSC has only five permanent members currently: United States, Russia, China, France and the United Kingdom. All P5 countries get the power to veto resolutions in UN committee, dismissing legislation even if they gather support from the majority.

The 48-member NSG is an elite club of countries that deals with the trade in nuclear technology and fissile materials besides contributing to the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons, PTI reported.

New Delhi is not a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), making China a sturdy opponent to India’s candidacy.