UN Security Council

The Security Council is a mix of class monitor, benevolent bhai and family elder

The US President, Barrack Obama, called for a permanent place for India in the United Nations Security Council during his recent visit to the country.

The Security Council is a group of nations whose responsibility, as stated by the UN Charter, is to maintain international peace and security. It functions without break, and a representative of each of its members must be present at all times at the UN Headquarters.

China, France, Russia, the UK and US are permanent members of the Security Council. In addition, there are ten non-permanent members. India, along with Colombia, Germany, Portugal and South Africa have been chosen to serve as non-permanent members for two-year terms starting 1 January 2011.

The Security Council is a mix of class monitor, benevolent bhai and family elder. When a complaint concerning a threat to peace is brought before it, the Council advises the parties to reach agreement by peaceful means. Indian colloquialisms like ‘Compro’ would be a good description.
When the culprits refuse to listen, the Council is forced to issue ceasefire directives. It also sends UN peacekeeping forces to reduce tensions in troubled areas.

When all else fails, the member state against which preventive or enforcement action has been taken by the Security Council can be suspended from the exercise of its rights and privileges of membership by the General Assembly on the recommendation of the Security Council. A member state which has persistently violated the principles of the Charter can even be expelled from the United Nations by the Assembly on the Council’s recommendation.

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