India has long dreamed of securing a permanent seat at the UN Security Council, but its quest for a spot at the prestigious table has faced serious roadblocks. Despite having served as a non-permanent member eight times, India has never been able to clinch the coveted permanent position. The journey to a permanent seat began back in 1993 when India called for reforms to the UNSC, and since then, the race has been full of hurdles.
India isn’t alone in this race, though. Brazil, Germany, and Japan have also thrown their hats into the ring, all hoping to join the exclusive group of five permanent members—Russia, the UK, China, France, and the United States. The problem? Every single one of these five countries has the power to veto any changes to the council's structure, meaning just one veto can derail any efforts to bring in new permanent members. While India has garnered support from most countries, China remains the biggest obstacle, as it is the only Asian country with a permanent UNSC seat and is unlikely to want to share that privilege.
But the tension goes even deeper than that. Back in the 1950s, India actually gave up its bid for a permanent seat to allow China to claim the last remaining spot—something that adds layers to the ongoing rivalry between the two countries today. With their ongoing border dispute and longstanding political tensions, China is unlikely to support India's bid, and this resistance continues to stand in the way of any meaningful reform.
India’s bid also faces challenges closer to home. Despite its growing influence in the region, India doesn’t have total control over the surrounding countries, and regional instability has only complicated its efforts. While New Delhi has consistently argued that the current structure of the UNSC, set up in 1945, is outdated and doesn’t reflect today's global dynamics, convincing all members of the council to agree on reform has proven tricky.
Another debate has emerged over whether India could secure a seat without veto power. But this idea has been met with strong resistance from India, which insists that any new permanent member must have veto rights. So far, it looks like a compromise like this won’t be on the table.
In the end, India’s dream of a permanent UNSC seat is far from over, but it will require overcoming both internal and external challenges. The real question is: Can India win over China, and perhaps the rest of the world, in the race for a seat at the high table? Only time will tell.
