India Gets Support From 4 European Nations For Permanent UN Seat, Jaishankar Hails Historic Move

New York: India's demand for permanent membership in the United Nations Security Council has received great strength. Visegrad Group or V-4, a group of four European countries, has openly supported India.

For the first time, a Foreign Minister level meeting was held between India and V-4 during the High Level Week of the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York. This group includes Hungary, Poland, Slovakia and Czech Republic. This is the first time that India has held a meeting with these four countries together in this format.

What did Slovakia say?

After the meeting, Slovakia's Foreign Minister Juraj Blanar said that all the V-4 countries have agreed that India should become a permanent member of the Security Council. He said, "All of us V-4 countries are of the opinion that India is a key country of the Global South and an emerging superpower of the Indo-Pacific, hence it should be on the table as a permanent member." 

He said this after the first V-4 Plus India meeting with S Jaishankar. Slovakia itself had called this meeting.

Why did Jaishankar call the meeting historic?

Foreign Minister S Jaishankar called it a new and historic opportunity. He said that many issues like political, economic, defence, technology, space, connectivity and people-to-people contacts were discussed between India and V-4 countries. Both sides decided that Foreign Minister-level meetings will now be held regularly to strengthen cooperation.

What new decisions were taken?

Two major decisions were agreed upon in the meeting. First, there will be a meeting of foreign ministers every year and second, an annual business forum will be started. Apart from this, there was discussion on increasing economic cooperation, giving new impetus to defence relations and partnership in technology and innovation. Jaishankar said that India has a long record of defence cooperation with the four countries and now it will be taken further.

Were global issues also discussed?

Views were also shared at the meeting on major international issues such as the Ukraine war and the situation in the Gulf region. Space, connectivity and movement of students were also discussed. Jaishankar said that a large number of Indian students study in V-4 countries, hence increasing people-to-people contacts is also on the agenda.

Will this support help in getting a seat immediately?

Endorsing the V-4 is an important diplomatic victory for India, but it does not immediately guarantee a permanent seat. Reform of the Security Council requires broad consensus, including changes to the UN Charter and the consent of all five permanent members. The current council consists of five permanent members with veto power and 10 non-permanent members. India has been demanding reforms in this structure for a long time.