Significance of India and France’s successive presidencies at UN Security Council

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Synopsis:

The India-France bilateral strategic partnership would act as a multilateral force for good in the UN security council. Their successive presidencies in July and August will help in reforming and expanding the council. 

Background:

• France and India will be at the forefront of UN endeavors as they chair the Security Council in July and August respectively.
  • The council bears the primary responsibility for international peace and security. 
• The trust between the two countries and result-oriented diplomatic practice will help forge consensus and deliver concrete outcomes at the Security Council.

Significance of Successive presidencies:

First, it would promote reformed multilateralism across the world. Defending the rules-based, multilateral system against the many crises of the 21st century is our common priority of both countries.

• • The crisis includes terrorism, climate change, pandemics, etc.

Second, it would help in the expansion of the security council thereby making it more representative.

• • France favours the expansion of the council in both categories of membership, permanent and non-permanent. It supports the candidatures of India and the three other G4 members (Germany, Japan, Brazil) for permanent seats. 
  • Further, it also desires an enhanced presence of Africa among the permanent members as well as the non-permanent members. Thus, an expanded council could have up to 25 members.

Third, it can also help in passing a resolution on responsible use of the veto by the permanent members.

• • France had earlier proposed a collective and voluntary agreement among the current permanent members of the Security Council. 
  • It states that members would refrain from using the veto in case of mass atrocities, such as crimes of genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes on a large scale. Currently, 105 countries (excluding India) support the resolution.

Fourth, it offers a welcome opportunity to work proactively over key issues on the Security Council agenda. This includes: 

• • Deployment of UN peacekeeping forces in conflict areas,
  • Rigorous implementation of arms embargoes,
  • Strengthening of the humanitarian space as well as the modernization of peacekeeping missions.