What is UN Security Council?
The United Nations Charter established six main organs of the United Nations including the Security Council.
It gives primary responsibility for maintaining international peace and security to the security Council, which may meet whenever peace is threatened.
The UN Charter establishes the membership of the Security Council.
According to the UN Charter, Article 23,
“The Security Council shall consist of fifteen members of the United Nations.”
Five permanent members with veto power are:- China, France, Russian Federation, United Kingdom Of Great Britain and Northern Island, United States of America.
Ten non-permanent members, five of which are elected each year by the general assembly for a two year term.
Originally, there were 11 members of the Security council, 5 permanent and 6 nom-permanent members.
In 1963, the General Assembly recommended an amendment to the Charter to increase the membership of the security council.
Five from African and Asian states, one from Eastern European state, two from Latin American states, two from western European and other states.
India has been elected as non permanent member of the council 7 times in the past for the year- 1950-51, 1967-68, 1972-73, 1977-78, 1984-85, 1991-92, 2011-12.
Did Nehru say no to UN Security Councel?
On 27 September 1955 in Parliament, Nehru categorically denied that a UNSC seat was ever offered to India.
“There has been no offer, formal or informal, of this kind.”- said Nehru.