Why China, the only permanent Asian member of the UN Security Council, wants it to stay that way
- Amid concerns over reduced influence, Beijing has an interest in ‘keeping India out’ of the group, analyst says
- Growing geopolitical rivalries and deepening polarisation make long sought reforms to the UN body seem like ‘pipe dreams’, according to observers
When Russia offered its backing to India earlier this month, the support was full throated.
Denis Alipov, the Russian ambassador to India, said New Delhi had a “balanced and independent approach to most topical issues” and warranted becoming a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council.
India is pushing to get a seat at the table with the council’s five permanent members, or P5 – Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States.
Those five represent victor nations of the second world war, and now with Russia behind India’s bid, only one – China – remains opposed to admitting the South Asian giant.
They also say that any other efforts to add permanent Security Council members seems wishful thinking, with many challenges, including the difficulty of amending the UN Charter, standing in the way.