India expresses anxiety over UNGA draft resolution on ‘veto power use’
Recently the United Nations General Assembly has unanimously adopted a resolution relating to the use of “veto power”. India has expressed concern over the draft resolution of the United Nations on the use of veto power.
According to this resolution, if the veto is exercised by the 5 permanent members of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), the General Assembly will automatically meet within days.
In this meeting, all members of the United Nations can investigate the use of the veto and give their opinion.
The proposal was submitted by Liechtenstein on behalf of 83 co-sponsors. India was not among the co-sponsors.
India’s stance on the resolution-
India has sought to abolish the veto in principle. India also says that, as long as the veto continues, the right to use it should be given to the new permanent members as well.
India has also expressed doubts about the effectiveness of this resolution. India clarified that there are already mechanisms in place for members of the UN General Assembly to discuss on an emergency basis in the event of a deadlock on an issue in the Security Council. These mechanisms even enable them to act on those issues.
India’s 5 Concerns: India has five concerns regarding the reform of the United Nations Security Council. These also include improvements in veto power.
Following are these five concerns:
- membership categories,
- The question of veto received by the five permanent members,
- Regional representation,
- The size and manner of functioning of the expanded Security Council and
- Relations between the Security Council and the General Assembly.
What is veto power?
- The five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council are China, France, Russia, the United States and the United Kingdom. They have the right to veto or reject any substantive resolution.
- The veto power is not specifically mentioned in the United Nations Charter.
- However, Article 27 of the United Nations Charter requires a unanimous vote of the permanent members on a matter. For this reason, the power of the veto is also known as the principal of great unanimity.
Source – The Hindu
