India Elected Non-Permanent Member Of UN Security Council With Overwhelming Majority; Pakistan Worried

Along with India, Ireland, Mexico and Norway also won the Security Council elections held Wednesday.

New Delhi: India was elected as non-permanent member of the powerful United Nations Security Council for eighth time on Wednesday as it won a dominant majority in the vote-share. India will now be functioning as the non-permanent member of the UNSC for a term of 2 years. India secured 184 votes in the 193-member General Assembly. It won the Asia Pacific seat with the unanimous support of the countries in the 55-member group, with China and Pakistan, at least openly, conceding support in face of overwhelming backing for India from the others. . Its victory was a given since it was the sole candidate vying for the lone seat from the grouping.

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. A second round of voting will be held Thursday to fill the last vacant seat. https://t.co/svznemQth6 pic.twitter.com/HCzomD18Yb

— United Nations (@UN) June 17, 2020

Even though India ran unopposed from Asia, eight countries apparently did not vote for India in the secret ballot. Of the 193 total member countries, 192 participated in the election process. Along with India, Ireland, Mexico and Norway also won the Security Council elections held Wednesday. Previous terms of India: Previously, India has been elected as a non-permanent member of the Council for the years 1950-1951, 1967-1968, 1972-1973, 1977-1978, 1984-1985, 1991-1992 and most recently in 2011-2012.  India’s campaign: India’s campaign document was unveiled by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in New Delhi. It laid out a "5S" approach of Samman (Respect), Samvad (Dialogue), Sahyog (Cooperation) Shanti (Peace) and Samriddi (Prosperity) for its service on the Council. The document setting out India's agenda said that a reformed multilateralism is a must for the post-Covid-19 era. Besides fighting terrorism, a priority for India, which historically the largest contributor peacekeeping operations, that the document listed was streamlining UN peacekeeping to "ensure greater clarity, direction, and professionalism." Pakistan concerned: Ahead of the elections, when India’s victory was almost certain, Pakistan expressed its reservations on India becoming UNSC member for the seventh time. It called it "not a moment of rejoice, but concern". Once again, playing the Kashmir card, Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said that India's intention to become non-permanent member of UNSC is a matter of concern for Pakistan as "India has blatantly rejected resolutions of the prestigious forum, particularly on Kashmir". (with inputs from agencies)