UNSC reforms: documents based negotiations on the anvil

• The UN General Assembly has adopted the path of text-based negotiations for carrying out Security Council reforms and, for this purpose, adopted a negotiating text by consensus. So far, discussions have been going on without a formal text.
• The US, China and Russia refused to contribute to the negotiating text.
• Once the draft is agreed upon by the UN member countries, it will be put to vote at the General Assembly, where a two-thirds vote is needed to pass it.
• India is a strong contender for a permanent seat if the Security Council gets expanded, which is one of the most significant reforms that is being discussed. Other three nations aspiring of permanent seat are Germany, Japan and Brazil. Including India all these four countries are also known as G4 nations.
• Though the US and Russia have been supporting India’s bid, China has been against any expansion of the Security Council.
• India has received support from France and the UK, the two remaining permanent members of the Security Council.

UN Security Council is the top decision-making body of UN, which has 15 members including five permanent members- China, Russia, the US, the UK and France.

By: Vishal