India and UN System | PSIR Optional for UPSC (Notes) PDF Download

United Nations

The United Nations (UN) is an international organization founded in 1945 after World War II to promote peace, security, and cooperation among nations. It was established to prevent future conflicts, foster international dialogue, and address global issues. 

The UN was founded with 51 member states, and today it has 193 member countries, making it nearly universal. Each member agrees to abide by the UN's principles, which include respect for sovereignty and peaceful dispute resolution.

Objectives of United Nations

The primary objective of the United Nations (UN) is to prevent future generations from experiencing the devastation of war. Additionally, the UN seeks to uphold human rights, recognize the equal status of all nations regardless of size, and encourage social progress and improved living standards within the context of greater freedom.

1. Protection of World Peace: The UN aims to maintain international peace and security by resolving conflicts and promoting cooperation among nations. This is achieved through diplomatic means, peacekeeping missions, and other initiatives that address the root causes of conflict.
2. Protection of Human Rights: The UN is committed to promoting and protecting human rights for all individuals, regardless of race, gender, nationality, or other factors. This is accomplished through various UN bodies, such as the Human Rights Council, which monitor and address human rights violations worldwide. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted in 1948, serves as the foundation for the UN's human rights efforts.
3. Promotion of Development: The UN strives to promote sustainable development at the global level, focusing on economic growth, social progress, and environmental protection. This is achieved through various programs and initiatives, such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which provide a roadmap for countries to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all by 2030.

Actual record

Assessing the actual record of the United Nations (UN) involves evaluating its accomplishments concerning core objectives such as maintaining peace, protecting human rights, and fostering development.

• In terms of maintaining peace, the UN has faced challenges due to conflicts between East and West, leading to limited effectiveness in achieving its primary objective. Collective security efforts have been paralyzed, and countries' commitment to peacekeeping has weakened. The UN has not played a significant role in resolving crises, such as those on the Korean Peninsula, between India and Pakistan, or the ongoing Palestinian issue.
• Regarding the protection of human rights, the UN has also struggled to uphold its responsibilities in various crises. Instances like the Rohingya crisis, the Syrian conflict, and numerous African countries' crises highlight the international community's failure to protect human rights. Additionally, powerful nations have exploited the human rights regime to further their geopolitical ambitions.
• Nonetheless, the UN has made some strides in the area of development. The World Health Organization (WHO) could be considered the most successful UN agency in this regard. However, the UN's prominence as a primary platform for development partnerships has diminished, as other institutions like the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) have taken on more significant roles in development agendas.

Present Situation

The United Nations (UN) is currently facing numerous challenges that hinder its ability to fulfill its primary mandate of maintaining international peace and security. Several key issues are influencing the state of the UN:

• Geopolitical Tensions : Strained relations between major powers, especially among the U.S., Russia, and China, have impacted the effectiveness of the Security Council. The ongoing conflicts, such as in Ukraine and Gaza, have seen limited progress in achieving peace, with significant divisions on how to respond diplomatically and militarily.
• Middle East Crisis : The conflict between Israel and Hamas, particularly after the 2023 attacks, has dominated discussions in the UN but has yielded little in terms of resolution. The war has exposed the UN's limitations in addressing deeply entrenched geopolitical rivalries.
• Humanitarian and Peacekeeping Efforts : Despite these geopolitical hurdles, the UN remains active in mediating and delivering humanitarian aid in conflict zones such as Sudan and Myanmar. However, resource constraints and lack of unity among member states weaken these efforts.
• Calls for Reform : There are growing demands for institutional reforms within the UN, especially in peacekeeping, the Security Council, and the overall multilateral system. The **Summit of the Future** in September 2024 aimed to address gaps in global governance and reaffirm commitments to the Sustainable Development Goals and a renewed multilateral framework.
• New Agenda for Peace : Released in 2023, this plan highlights the need for proactive diplomacy, addressing root causes of conflict such as inequality, poverty, and the climate crisis. The agenda stresses the importance of peacebuilding and reforms in conflict prevention, aiming for a more inclusive approach that involves civil society, women, and youth.
• Climate and Resource Conflicts : The UN has also emphasized the emerging risks posed by climate change, resource scarcity, and technological disruptions, which are expected to drive future conflicts over land, water, and energy.

While the UN is still seen as an essential platform for diplomacy and peace efforts, its effectiveness is being tested by the complex and evolving nature of global challenges. The organization is under pressure to adapt and reform in the face of these crises. 

United Nations Reforms

The United Nations (UN) plays a crucial role in global governance and maintaining international peace and security. However, the organization has been facing numerous challenges, which necessitate urgent reforms to ensure its continued relevance and effectiveness. 

1. Why are reforms needed?
While the UN has been instrumental in addressing various global issues, its structures and functioning have not kept pace with the rapidly changing world. Reforming the UN is essential for its evolution and continued relevance in addressing contemporary challenges. If the UN were to be disbanded, a similar institution would have to be recreated to fulfill its functions, making reform a more pragmatic option.

2. Areas for reform

• Institutional reforms: The UN's institutional structures need to be more streamlined, efficient, and representative of the current global order.
• Reform of the UN Charter: The Charter needs to be updated to reflect current realities, such as removing references to enemy states and addressing the prohibition on intervention in domestic affairs under Article 2(7).
• General Assembly: While no major reforms are needed, better coordination between the General Assembly and the Security Council is essential.
• Security Council: Comprehensive reforms are required in the Security Council, including its membership, working methods, and decision-making processes.
• Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC): The number of agencies under ECOSOC has grown significantly, leading to overlaps and inefficiencies. Streamlining these agencies is essential for better functioning.
• Trusteeship Council: As the Trusteeship Council has completed its original mandate, it should either be abolished or given a new mandate, such as governing global commons like space and Antarctica.
• UN Secretariat: Addressing bureaucratic red tape, ensuring greater representation from developing countries, and enhancing training and capacity-building are key areas for reform in the Secretariat.
• Peacekeeping: The UN peacekeeping operations need more funding, better training, and improved coordination among various stakeholders.
• Financial reforms: Ensuring timely payment of contributions by member states, increasing the budget, and exploring independent sources of income (e.g., taxes on international financial transactions) are essential for the UN's financial health.

3. How to implement reforms?

• Implementing institutional reforms, except for those related to the Secretariat, requires amendments to the UN Charter. Article 108 of the Charter outlines the amendment process, which is quite rigid, and has resulted in only five amendments since its inception.
• To initiate an amendment, at least two-thirds of the General Assembly members need to propose it. The proposal must then be approved by a two-thirds majority, including the consent of the P5 (permanent members of the Security Council). Finally, the amendment has to be ratified through domestic ratification procedures in at least two-thirds of the member countries.
• UN reforms are vital for the organization to remain relevant and effective in addressing global challenges. These reforms should focus on updating the Charter, improving coordination and efficiency of various organs, and ensuring adequate financial resources. Achieving these reforms will require the collective efforts of member states and the willingness to adapt to the changing global landscape.

UNSC: United Nations Security Council

Importance of UNSC
The UNSC is considered the nucleus of the UN System. It is the only body of the UN that has the power to enforce its decisions. The permanent members of the UNSC possess veto powers, which provide them with an ultimate weapon to stop the functioning of the UN against their national interest. The UNSC has a significant say in all critical appointments in the UN and the functioning of the UN.

Need for reform of the UNSC

• Veto Power Issues: The use of veto powers by the permanent members has led to disappointment with the functioning of the UN. None of the UNSC decisions go without criticism and allegations due to their partial nature.
• Lack of Transparency and Accountability: There is a lack of transparency and accountability in the functioning of the UNSC. Poor coordination exists between the UNSC and the UNGA.
• Global Representation: The current configuration of the UNSC does not accurately represent the present global reality. There is an entry of new players like India, Japan, Germany, etc., who are not represented in the permanent membership.

Urgent Reforms Required

• Veto Reforms: Suggestions include eliminating the veto, not granting veto powers to new permanent members, and giving the General Assembly the power to override a veto in case of a deadlock.
•  Membership Reforms: The present composition of the UNSC does not accurately represent the global reality. Africa, Latin America, and Asia are underrepresented, while Europe is overrepresented. Adding more countries to the council will enhance its credibility and dilute polarization.

Challenges in Implementing Reforms
Membership reform will require amending the UN charter, which is difficult to achieve. Historical attempts at reform, such as India's proposed candidature in the 1970s and the US's proposal for Germany and Japan's inclusion after the 1989 Gulf War, have faced opposition and challenges. The formation of the G4 coalition (Brazil, India, Japan, Germany) has also faced opposition from the "Coffee Club" countries (Pakistan, Italy, Argentina, Turkey), the African Union, and the Organization of Islamic Countries.

To keep the UN relevant and effective, it is essential to reform the UNSC to better represent the current global reality and address issues of transparency, accountability, and the use of veto powers. Continuing efforts to build consensus and address the concerns of various countries will be crucial in achieving these reforms.

What are other problems in reform?

1. Overrepresentation of Europe: If Germany is included as a permanent member, Europe will become more overrepresented. This has led to the proposal of merging all European seats and creating a single European Union seat. However, countries like Britain and France have not agreed to this proposal.
2. Lack of consensus on candidates from Latin America and Africa: There is no agreement on which countries from these regions should be considered for permanent membership in the UNSC.
3. Uniting for Consensus Resolution: The Coffee Club has introduced this resolution, suggesting that any expansion of membership should be done only through consensus in the General Assembly. However, the G4 countries argue that the UN Charter allows for decisions by majority and that consensus is not required.
4. Representation of smaller island nations: The smaller island nations of the Pacific and Caribbean have also proposed their representation in the UNSC, adding to the complexity of the reform process.
5. No agreed-upon formula: Despite various proposals, there is no formula for the expansion of UNSC membership that has been agreed upon by all countries.

Former Secretary General Kofi Annan's proposals:
(i) 9 new members – G4, 2 from Africa, 3 non-permanent, with no veto power for new members. India supports this formula.
(ii) 9 new members – 8 semi-permanent, 1 non-permanent. Pakistan supports this formula.
In 2015, the UNGA adopted a resolution for 'text-based negotiations by consensus', where each country will give written submissions and discussions will be based on the formal text.

India and UN Peacekeeping

As a founding member of the United Nations, India has been committed to maintaining international peace. UN Peacekeeping is guided by four basic principles:

• Consent of the parties: Peacekeeping missions require the consent of the parties involved in the conflict.
• Impartiality: Peacekeepers must remain impartial and not favor any side in the conflict.
• Non-use of force except in self-defense: Peacekeepers are only allowed to use force in self-defense or in defense of their mandate.
• Defense of the mandate: Peacekeepers must work to fulfill the mandate given to them by the United Nations.

India has been a significant contributor to UN peacekeeping missions and has consistently advocated for the importance of these principles in maintaining international peace and security.

The Changing Role of Peacekeepers

The United Nations Peacekeeping is an essential tool for maintaining peace and security in conflict areas. The role of peacekeepers has evolved significantly since the Cold War period when it was first established. This article aims to provide an in-depth understanding of the history of peacekeeping, its present situation, the issues faced, and India's demands for reforms from a UPSC exam perspective.

I. History of Peacekeeping

• Formation: Peacekeeping was established during the Cold War period as a tool to maintain peace and security in conflict areas when the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) was paralyzed.
• First Peacekeepers: The first peacekeepers were sent to the Arab-Israeli war. They were unarmed military troops whose primary role was to monitor, report, and build confidence.
• First Armed Mission: The first armed peacekeeping mission took place during the 1956 Suez Crisis.
• First Large Scale Mission: The Congo crisis marked the first large scale peacekeeping mission, with 20,000 troops deployed. India made significant contributions to this mission.
• Evolution: Since its inception, over 70 UN peacekeeping missions have been employed.

II. Present Situation of Peacekeeping

• Involvement in Civil Wars: Peacekeepers are now often involved in civil wars, where constitutional authority may be non-existent or limited.
• Non-State Actors: Peacekeepers sometimes face non-state actors who are not bound by any norms.
• Humanitarian Relief Operations: Peacekeepers are called upon to monitor humanitarian relief operations and human rights violations, assist in mine clearance, monitor state boundaries, provide civilian police support, assist in infrastructure building, and assist in electoral processes.

III. Present Issues in Peacekeeping

• Changing Nature of Peacekeeping: The roles and responsibilities of peacekeepers have evolved significantly over time.
• Reluctance of Developed Countries: Developed countries are often reluctant to contribute troops for peacekeeping missions.
• Fund Misappropriation Allegations: There have been allegations of misappropriation of funds by troop-contributing countries.
• Irresponsible Behaviour: Some countries, such as Pakistan and Bangladesh, view peacekeeping as a means to earn foreign exchange and may not always act responsibly.

IV. India's Demands for Reforms

• Consultation with Troop Contributing Countries: India demands better consultation with countries contributing troops to peacekeeping missions.
• Funding: India calls for more funds and timely release of funds for peacekeeping missions.
• Zero Tolerance: India demands zero tolerance towards irresponsible behavior, such as sexual violence and corruption, by peacekeepers.
• Robust Peacekeeping: Developed countries have proposed the concept of 'robust peacekeeping,' wherein peacekeepers would be allowed to possess offensive weapons due to increasing attacks against them. However, there are objections to this idea, as it may blur the lines between peacekeeping and collective security and could be misused by developed countries.

Responsibility to Protect (R2P)

Responsibility to Protect (R2P) is a reinterpreted concept of sovereignty that emerged after the end of the Cold War. The end of the Cold War led to an increase in ethnic conflicts and civil wars, resulting in widespread human rights violations and genocides, such as those in Bosnia Herzegovina, Rwanda, and Sri Lanka. R2P aims to address the challenges arising from these civil wars and the limitations of the UN Charter in protecting human rights.

• Redefining Sovereignty: R2P redefines sovereignty from a state's power to a state's responsibility. This means that the state's primary role is to protect the rights of its people, rather than exercising power over them. This shift in understanding emphasizes the importance of protecting human rights in a globalized world.
• The Role of the State and the International Community: The primary responsibility for protecting the rights of the people within a state lies with that state. However, if a state fails to fulfill its responsibility due to a lack of capacity or if the state itself starts violating the rights of its people (e.g., the Rohingya crisis in Myanmar), the responsibility to protect falls on the international community.

UN General Assembly Resolution on R2P
The Responsibility to Protect resolutions have been adopted by the UN General Assembly, with India being a signatory. These resolutions allow the international community to intervene in civil wars under certain guidelines, such as:

• Force should only be used as a last option.
• The use of force must be proportionate to the situation.

Controversial Applications of R2P - Libya and Syria

• The use of R2P has been controversial, with the most debated examples being the interventions in Libya and Syria. In Libya, NATO was authorized by the UN Security Council Resolution 1973 to enforce a 'no-fly zone' to protect civilians from Gaddafi's forces. However, NATO went beyond its mandate and entered into open conflict with Gaddafi's forces, resulting in a greater number of casualties. This action was condemned by Russia and China, who argued that R2P had become a tool for Western regime change rather than human rights protection.
• The Libyan experience led to Russia and China refusing to sanction R2P intervention in Syria, despite the ongoing human rights violations in the country. This deadlock has been a significant factor in the ongoing crisis in Syria and the inability of the United Nations to take decisive action.

The Brazilian Proposal - Responsibility While Protecting (RWP)
In response to the controversies surrounding R2P, Brazil proposed the concept of 'Responsibility While Protecting' (RWP). This proposal emphasizes the need for accountability in implementing R2P resolutions and ensures that those who transgress the limits of intervention are penalized. RWP aims to prevent the misuse of R2P for geopolitical interests and maintain the focus on human rights protection.

India and UN Analysis

India’s relationship with the United Nations (UN) is multifaceted, reflecting its active participation and significant contributions over decades. Here are key points defining India's engagement with UN:

• Founding Member : India was a founding member of the UN in 1945, shortly before gaining independence. Since then, it has played an active role in shaping the global agenda on peace, development, and human rights.
• Peacekeeping Contributions : India is one of the largest contributors to UN peacekeeping missions. Over 250,000 Indian personnel have participated in 50 UN missions, and India continues to be a key player in peace operations across conflict zones in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East.
• Security Council Aspirations : India has consistently sought a permanent seat on the UN Security Council (UNSC) as part of broader reforms. It argues for a more representative and inclusive Security Council that reflects contemporary geopolitical realities. India’s current membership on the Council (2021-2022) has reaffirmed its commitment to global peace and security.
• Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) : India is a strong proponent of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals and is actively working toward achieving them by 2030. India’s initiatives on poverty reduction, clean energy (like the International Solar Alliance), and digital governance align with the UN’s development agenda.
• Climate Action Leadership : India has emerged as a significant voice on climate change within the UN framework, advocating for climate justice and the principle of **Common but Differentiated Responsibilities (CBDR)**. India’s role in initiatives like the Paris Agreement is crucial, especially as it continues to balance development needs with environmental sustainability.
• Humanitarian and Development Assistance : India contributes to various UN humanitarian agencies such as the UNDP, UNICEF, and the World Food Programme. It provides technical and financial assistance to developing nations, especially in Africa and Asia, in line with the UN’s development goals.
• Global Governance Reforms : India advocates for UN reforms to make global governance more inclusive and effective. Apart from pushing for UNSC reforms, India calls for greater transparency and accountability in UN decision-making bodies.
• Counterterrorism Efforts : India has actively lobbied for the adoption of a  Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT)  at the UN. India emphasizes the need for a unified international response to terrorism and has criticized the lack of global consensus on defining terrorism.

India's relationship with the UN highlights its commitment to multilateralism and global governance, while simultaneously advocating for reforms that reflect its growing global stature.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the United Nations plays a crucial role in maintaining international peace and security, protecting human rights, and promoting development. However, it faces numerous challenges, such as the need for reform in the UNSC, the changing role of peacekeepers, and controversies surrounding the Responsibility to Protect concept. Addressing these challenges requires the collective efforts of member states, a willingness to adapt to the changing global landscape, and a focus on ensuring accountability and transparency in the organization's actions. India, as a significant contributor to UN peacekeeping missions and a leading voice in global affairs, has a crucial role to play in shaping the future of the UN and advocating for reforms that better represent the current global reality.