Amid talk of Islamic representation, India, G4 reject proposals to allocate UNSC seats on religious basis

Amid talk of Islamic representation, India, G4 reject proposals to allocate UNSC seats on religious basis 

Amid discussions of Islamic representation in the UN Security Council, India and other G4 members have rejected proposals to allocate seats based on religion in a reformed Council.

Opposition to Religious Parameters in Reform

India's Permanent Representative, P Harish, speaking on behalf of the G4, emphasized that proposals to introduce religious affiliation as a criterion for UNSC reform “run counter to established UN practice.” Harish did not directly name Turkey or President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who had called for an Islamic country to become a permanent member of the Council, nor did he reference Pakistan or the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), which proposed representation for the “Islamic Ummah.”

Impact on Regional Representation

Harish further argued that introducing religious factors would complicate the already complex discussions on reforming the Council. He emphasized that regional representation, which has been the accepted practice in the UN, should remain the guiding principle. "Attempts to introduce new parameters such as religion and faith... completely counter regional representation," Harish said.

G4’s Stance on UNSC Expansion

The G4 group—comprising Brazil, Germany, India, and Japan—supports expanding the permanent membership of the UNSC and mutually backs each other’s bids for the new seats. However, Harish clarified that the G4 does not propose specific candidates for permanent membership and believes that such decisions should be made democratically by the General Assembly.

Proposed Expansion of the UNSC

Under the G4’s proposal, the size of the Council would increase from 15 to 25 or 26 members, with permanent members rising from five to 11. The proposal calls for six new permanent seats: two each for Africa and Asia-Pacific, and one each for Latin America and the Caribbean, and Western Europe and Others. Non-permanent seats would increase from ten to 14 or 15, with allocation to regions like Asia Pacific, Latin America and Caribbean, and Eastern Europe.

Challenges from Opponents of Reform

Harish also directed remarks at the United for Consensus (UfC) group, led by Italy and including Pakistan, which opposes adding permanent members. "Those opposed to text-based negotiations do not seek progress on reforms," Harish said, criticizing arguments that an expanded Council would not be efficient. He argued that a reformed Council, with appropriate working methods and accountability mechanisms, could function effectively and address global issues.

Islamic Representation Debate

The issue of Islamic representation has been a contentious point, with President Erdogan advocating for an Islamic country to hold veto power in the UNSC. Pakistan, which opposes adding new permanent members, has supported the idea of adequate Islamic representation, especially in the context of the OIC’s position. Last year, Pakistan’s former Permanent Representative Munir Akram emphasized that the "Islamic Ummah" would not accept proposals lacking such representation.

Current Permanent Members Breakdown

The current permanent members of the UNSC include one nominally Communist country, China, and four Christian-majority nations: the U.S. (Protestant), the U.K. (Protestant), France (Catholic), and Russia (Orthodox). The breakdown reflects historical shifts, such as when the Soviet Union’s seat passed to Russia after the USSR’s dissolution, and Taiwan, which held the China seat before, was largely Buddhist and Taoist.

(With IANS Inputs)