Source: News on Air
Context
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar launched SHANTI — Securing Holistic Advancement through Norms, Trust and Integrity — on 13 July 2026 at UN Headquarters, formally opening India’s campaign for a non-permanent UNSC seat for 2028–29. The vote is scheduled for June 2027, during the 81st session of the UN General Assembly. The initiative also reinforces India’s long-standing demand for a permanent seat and for UNSC reform and expansion.
What SHANTI Stands For
- Securing Holistic Advancement through Norms, Trust and Integrity.
- Jaishankar’s stated vision: a secure, peaceful and equitable world where the voice of the Global South is heard in equal measure; where peacekeeping is ready for contemporary and future challenges; and where multilateralism reflects contemporary realities rather than “remaining a bystander”.
- India will advocate better-equipped, technologically enabled and realistically mandated peacekeeping operations, while championing the Women, Peace and Security agenda.
- He noted Indian-funded development projects are being implemented in 79 countries.
What is the UNSC?
The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) is one of the six principal organs of the United Nations. It has the primary responsibility for maintaining international peace and security. It can adopt legally binding resolutions that all UN member states are expected to follow.
Establishment
- Established on 24 October 1945 under the UN Charter.
- Headquarters: United Nations Headquarters.
- Created after World War II to prevent future global conflicts.
Composition
The UNSC has 15 members:
- 5 Permanent Members (P5):
- China
- France
- Russia
- United Kingdom
- United States
- 10 Non-Permanent Members
- Elected by the UN General Assembly.
- Serve 2-year terms.
- Chosen based on regional representation.
- Five members retire each year, and elections are held annually.
Non-Permanent vs Permanent
- Non-permanent stints allow India to build coalitions, shape agendas and demonstrate capability — but carry no veto and last only two years.
- Permanent membership would secure a durable, veto-backed voice in decisions on international peace, sanctions and military authorisations.
- The two are complementary: repeated non-permanent terms build the case for permanence.
