And now, the UN
Robinder Sachdev, Tuesday, September 23, 2008 22:39 IST

India must now aim to achieve a United Nations Security Council seat

On September 16, the UN General Assembly took a historic step by unanimously passing a resolution approving “inter-governmental negotiations” on expanding the UN Security Council to begin by February 28, 2009.

The discussion about expanding the UNSC now moves beyond a deadlocked committee where it had been languishing for almost 15 years since the working group was set up in 1993. Even though a new UNSC may still take years to be finalised, a major barrier has been broken and now the matter will come for discussion by all 192 member-states of the UN.
 
India has recently gained momentum in global affairs. The waiver by the Nuclear Suppliers’ Group on September 6 — a burden of 34 long years — has shattered the glass ceiling for India. It is now time to move on, to take the next giant leap of even higher proportions.
 
History is calling upon president George Bush and prime minister Manmohan Singh to ensure that the United Nations of the 21st century benefits from the contribution of India. Simply put, the world  system of today needs the participation of India in the UNSC to tackle the  challenges facing the planet, plus to accommodate the representation of one  billion people.
 
The UN is an ally to nations and global community for resolving the multitude of challenges — if it continues to weaken and become irrelevant that will increase the dangers to our security and quality of lives all over the world.
 
Incorporating India at the UNSC is one big step that will boost the capabilities of the UN India should aim to achieve a de facto UNSC seat via aggressive thought leadership, backed by financial resources, and let the world community see for itself the benefits that will flow to them once India is at the UNSC. Among the steps that India can take at the upcoming general assembly, are:
 
Disarmament: Sponsor a resolution on total nuclear disarmament, and get as many sponsors as possible. Especially Japan as a co-sponsor. Building on the legacy of Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, and Rajiv Gandhi, the resolution should call for not only no testing, but also destruction of all nuclear weapons and non-violence.

Terrorism: Move a resolution on terrorism and proliferation, and again get as many sponsors as possible. The US presidential candidates are in process of developing new policy on global terrorism, especially relating to hotspots that breed fanatic thinking, and such a resolution will give them also an opportunity to incorporate suggestions in their own platforms.
 
Energy: Initiate a resolution on energy that urgently prepares the world for a post-fossil fuel era. Nations should be invited to invest in a global fund that will accelerate the commercialisation of technologies for solar, wind, nuclear, bio-fuels and geo-thermal, and India can take the lead by committing one billion dollars for the project.
 
Indo-China venture: In conjunction with the Chinese delegation, propose a strong resolution on any topic where India and China can quickly agree. The issue could be any, perhaps something which addresses Africa. Such a move will show India's maturity and ability to work with a rising China to address global issues.
 
Legacy friends: For some reason, over the past two decades there is a perception that Indian foreign policy has been abandoning old friends in its pursuit of the Indian dream. This impression should be rectified immediately by concrete steps, and the UN GA is the right time for India to reinvigorate its relations with such countries.
 
A seat for India at the UN Security Council is a must — not as matter of self-interest for India, but more importantly for the cohesion, safety, and economic progress of this planet. For some reason Washington has been foggy about its stance and support on this critical matter. President Bush can lift this fog and open the door for India by announcing US support for India with full and equal rights at the Security Council.
 
As Prime Minister Singh is fond of saying, no force can stop an idea whose time has come. The time for India at the UNSC has come — sooner or later it shall happen. President Bush will bestow a legacy if he accelerates India’s full participation at the UN.
 
The earlier India gets its role, the quicker it can bring the full force of its democratic and economic power to help solve the urgent challenges facing the world.
 
Each day that India stays away from UNSC is a day lost by the world community to benefit from India's leadership. It is time to move beyond the NSG — true heroes do not rest and President Bush and PM Singh should now throw their support at this next challenge to secure the world.
 
The writer is president of The Imagindia Institute