Elon Musk, acknowledged as the world's wealthiest individual and CEO of Tesla, has expressed his support for India's candidacy as a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), emphasizing the absurdity of the nation, with its status as the most populous country on Earth, lacking a permanent seat. Musk's endorsement of India's bid to join the UNSC was conveyed through a post on X following similar support from the United States, Australia, and the UK.
While France, Russia, the UK, and the US have advocated for India's inclusion as a permanent member in the UNSC, China has consistently opposed this proposal, hindering India's path to securing a position at the global diplomatic table. The UNSC presently consists of five permanent members and ten non-permanent members elected for two-year terms by the UN General Assembly.
Established in the aftermath of World War II on January 17, 1946, the UNSC's primary objective is to uphold international peace and security. The "permanent five" or P5 countries, namely the United States, the Soviet Union (now Russia), China, the United Kingdom, and France, were designated based on their post-World War II victories.
The process for a country to attain permanent membership in the UNSC involves obtaining the support of two-thirds of UN General Assembly members and the approval of all P5 nations. However, the formidable hurdle lies in the veto power held by each of the permanent members, allowing a single dissenting vote to block a proposal even if the remaining four agree. Additionally, an amendment to the 1945 UN Charter, signifying the expansion of UNSC permanent seats, is a prerequisite for any such enlargement.
India, advocating for reforms in the UNSC, has encountered resistance primarily from China in its pursuit of permanent membership. Despite India being elected as a non-permanent member of the UNSC on eight occasions, its aspiration for a permanent seat has faced historical complexities, including offers from the US and the Soviet Union, which were declined by then-Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru. The ongoing diplomatic efforts for India's inclusion in the UNSC underscore the evolving global dynamics and India's heightened geopolitical significance.
