MAINS Current Affairs includes India’s Rise Demands a Seat at the UN Security Council (UNSC) & India–Türkiye: Rebuilding Bilateral Relations

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

1. India’s Rise Demands a Seat at the UN Security Council (UNSC)

Context: Growing geopolitical changes and repeated failures of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) in addressing global conflicts have intensified demands for comprehensive reforms.

• India’s expanding economic, strategic and diplomatic influence has strengthened its case for permanent membership of the UNSC.

Why Does the UNSC Need Reform?

1. Present Structure is No Longer Representative

• The UNSC was created in 1945 when the UN had only 51 member states.
• At that time, 11 Council members represented nearly 22% of the UN membership.
• Today, the UN has 193 member countries, but the Council has only 15 members, representing less than 8% of the total membership.
• This makes the Council inadequate to represent today’s diverse geopolitical realities.

2. Reflects the Post-World War II Order

• The permanent membership (P5) was designed according to the global power structure after the Second World War.
• Over the last eight decades, new economic and political powers have emerged, while many developing countries have become major stakeholders in global governance.
• However, the UNSC structure has remained largely unchanged.

3. Excessive Concentration of Veto Power

• Only the five permanent members (USA, Russia, China, UK and France) possess veto power.
• A single veto can block resolutions supported by the majority of member states.
• This has repeatedly prevented effective action on conflicts such as:
  • Russia–Ukraine conflict
  • Israel–Gaza conflict
  • Syrian civil war

4. Declining Credibility and Legitimacy

• The unequal decision-making structure creates a perception that the Council primarily serves the interests of a few powerful nations.
• Many developing countries believe that their concerns receive inadequate attention.
• Lack of equitable representation weakens confidence in the UN system.

5. Inability to Address Emerging Global Challenges

The existing UNSC struggles to respond effectively to modern security threats such as:

• International terrorism
• Cyber warfare
• Climate-related security risks
• Maritime security
• Artificial Intelligence and emerging technologies
• Transnational crimes

Why India Deserves Permanent Membership?

1. World’s Largest Democracy

• India is the largest democratic nation with a population exceeding 4 billion people, representing nearly one-sixth of humanity.
• Such a large segment of the global population currently has no permanent voice in the Security Council.

2. Rising Economic Power

• India is among the world’s fastest-growing major economies.
• It ranks among the top three economies in Purchasing Power Parity (PPP).
• India’s economy significantly influences:
  • Global trade
  • Energy markets
  • Digital economy
  • Supply chains
  • Investment flows
• Its growing economic weight justifies greater participation in global decision-making.

3. Strong Military Capability

• India possesses one of the world’s largest and most professional armed forces.
• It has developed a credible nuclear triad, comprising:
  • Land-based missiles
  • Air-delivered nuclear capability
  • Sea-based nuclear deterrence
• India also remains one of the world’s leading defence spenders and an important contributor to regional stability.

4. Outstanding Contribution to UN Peacekeeping

• India has been among the largest contributors of troops to UN Peacekeeping Missions since 1948.
• Thousands of Indian soldiers have served in conflict zones across Africa, Asia and the Middle East.
• India has also suffered one of the highest numbers of casualties among peacekeeping nations.
• This demonstrates India’s long-standing commitment to international peace and security.

5. Responsible Global Leader

India has increasingly emerged as the voice of the Global South by promoting:

• Inclusive development
• Climate justice
• Sustainable development
• South-South cooperation

Major leadership initiatives include:

• G20 Presidency
• International Solar Alliance (ISA)
• Global Biofuels Alliance
• Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI)
• Global Digital Public Infrastructure initiatives

6. Champion of Rules-Based International Order

• India consistently supports:
  • Respect for international law
  • Freedom of navigation
  • Peaceful settlement of disputes
  • Sovereignty and territorial integrity of nations
• It strongly advocates implementation of UNCLOS and supports institutions such as the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS).

7. Responsible Nuclear Power

• India follows a policy of:
  • No First Use (NFU)
  • Credible Minimum Deterrence
• It has maintained an excellent record regarding nuclear security and non-proliferation.

Challenges to India’s Permanent Membership

• Complex Amendment Process:Any reform requires approval by two-thirds of the UN General Assembly and ratification by all five permanent members. This makes institutional reform extremely difficult.
• Chinese Opposition: China remains cautious about India’s elevation to permanent-member status and has often avoided explicit support for India’s permanent seat aspirations.
• Coffee Club:Uniting for Consensus (UfC)or Coffee Club, is a movement that developed in the 1990s in opposition to the possible expansion of permanent seats in the United Nations Security Council.
  • Under the leadership of Italy,it aims to counter the bids for permanent seats proposed by G4 nations (Brazil, Germany, India, and Japan).

Conclusion

India’s demographic strength, economic rise, military capability, democratic credentials and consistent commitment to multilateralism make it a natural candidate for permanent membership of the UNSC. A reformed Security Council that includes India would be more representative, legitimate, credible and better equipped to address contemporary global challenges, thereby strengthening the effectiveness of the United Nations in the 21st century.

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

2. India–Türkiye: Rebuilding Bilateral Relations

Context: India–Türkiye relations deteriorated after Türkiye openly supported Pakistan during Operation Sindoor and repeatedly raised the Kashmir issue at international forums.

• After nearly a year of strained ties, both countries have begun restoring diplomatic engagement through dialogue, security cooperation, and renewed economic interaction.

Background: Why Did Relations Deteriorate?

1. Türkiye’s Stand on Kashmir

• After the abrogation of Article 370 (2019), Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan repeatedly raised the Kashmir issue at the UN General Assembly and other international platforms.
• Türkiye supported Pakistan’s demand for a UN-mediated resolution, which India rejected, reiterating that Kashmir is an internal matter.

2. Support to Pakistan During Operation Sindoor

• Following the Pahalgam terrorist attack, India launched Operation Sindoor against terrorist infrastructure.
• Türkiye criticised India’s military action, calling it “unprovoked aggression”, while openly backing Pakistan’s position.

3. Defence Cooperation with Pakistan

• Reports indicated that Pakistan employed Turkish-origin drones during Operation Sindoor.
• This raised concerns in India regarding Türkiye’s growing military partnership with Pakistan.

4. Diplomatic and Economic Fallout

India adopted several retaliatory measures:

• Strengthened strategic partnerships with Greece and Cyprus, Türkiye’s regional rivals.
• Cancelled Air India’s aircraft maintenance contract with a Turkish company.
• Suspended several academic Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs).
• Indian tourist arrivals to Türkiye declined by nearly 37%.
• Overall political trust between both countries weakened significantly.

Recent Developments: Signs of Re-engagement

• Revival of Diplomatic Dialogue:India and Turkiye resumed Foreign Office Consultations in April 2026 after a four-year gap. Discussions covered areas such as trade and investment, tourism, technology and innovation, energy cooperation, counter-terrorism and security.
• Security Cooperation: Turkiye facilitated the deportation of fugitive narcotics trafficker Salim Dola to India. Both countries are reportedly cooperating on additional extradition requests.
• Economic Realities: Turkiye realized that India is a major economic partner with bilateral trade exceeding $10 billion annually.
  • India is an important market for Turkish exports such as machinery, marble, and agricultural products.
  • Turkish firms seek opportunities in India’s infrastructure and construction sectors.
  • Tourism and investment ties are economically significant.

Why is Türkiye Important for India?

1. Strategic Location: Türkiye acts as a bridge between Europe, West Asia, the Caucasus, and Central Asia.

• It occupies a strategic position controlling access between the Black Sea and the Mediterranean through the Bosporus and Dardanelles Straits.
  • Important for India’s connectivity and energy security.

2. Economic Partner: Bilateral trade exceeds $10 billion annually, India exports chemicals, textiles, automobiles, machinery, and pharmaceuticals to Türkiye.
3. Connectivity Corridors

• Türkiye occupies an important position in Eurasian transport networks.
• Stable relations provide flexibility amid uncertainties surrounding:
  • India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC)
  • International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC)

4. Engagement with the Islamic World

• Türkiye remains an influential country within the Muslim world.
• Constructive ties can strengthen India’s engagement with:
  • West Asia
  • Central Asia
  • Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (indirectly)

Major Challenges in Bilateral Relations

• Kashmir Issue: Türkiye’s repeated statements on Kashmir remain India’s primary concern.
• Pakistan Factor: Türkiye’s close defence and strategic partnership with Pakistan continues to generate mistrust.
• Regional Geopolitics: India’s growing ties with Greece, Cyprus, and Armenia, along with Türkiye’s regional ambitions, create strategic competition.
• Political Trust Deficit: Past diplomatic disagreements continue to affect long-term confidence.

Way Forward

Institutionalise Political Dialogue

• Hold regular Foreign Office Consultations, ministerial meetings, and strategic dialogues to prevent misunderstandings.

Expand Economic Cooperation

• Increase trade, investment, tourism, infrastructure partnerships, and business collaborations while insulating economic relations from political differences.

Strengthen Security Cooperation

• Enhance collaboration against terrorism, organised crime, narcotics trafficking, cybercrime, and money laundering.

Promote People-to-People Contacts

• Expand:
  • Academic exchanges
  • Tourism
  • Cultural diplomacy
  • Educational cooperation
  • Think-tank interactions

Respect Core Interests

• Türkiye should remain sensitive to India’s concerns regarding cross-border terrorism and Kashmir, while India should continue engaging through diplomacy.

Conclusion

The renewed engagement between India and Türkiye reflects a pragmatic recognition that economic cooperation, regional connectivity, and strategic interests outweigh prolonged political tensions. However, the long-term success of this rapprochement will depend on Türkiye’s future approach towards Kashmir and Pakistan, as well as both countries’ ability to compartmentalise differences while expanding cooperation in trade, security,  connectivity, and regional diplomacy.

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