India will formally launch its campaign today for election as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for the 2028–29 term. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will officially
kick off the campaign at the UN Headquarters in New York.
India is contesting the seat from the Asia-Pacific Group and will face Tajikistan in the election. Tajikistan has already secured the backing of the 57-member Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). India, meanwhile, has received support from the United States, Australia, Fiji, Sri Lanka and Austria.
New Delhi is also hopeful of securing the backing of several European and Western countries, neighbouring nations, Caribbean and island countries, South American nations, and a number of African countries.
India has a strong track record in elections to the UNSC’s non-permanent category. It has been elected to the Council eight times for two-year terms: 1950–51, 1967–68, 1972–73, 1977–78, 1984–85, 1991–92, 2011–12 and 2021–22, serving a total of 16 years as a non-permanent member.
India has consistently won overwhelming support in previous elections. It secured 187 of 190 votes for the 2011–12 term and 184 of 193 votes for the 2021–22 term, marking its eighth tenure on the Security Council.
A notable setback came in 1975, when India contested the non-permanent seat against Pakistan but lost the election.
India is expected to highlight its commitment to multilateralism, UN reforms, peacekeeping, and its role as a leading voice of the Global South as it seeks broad international support for the 2028–29 term. Apart from advocating for UNSC reforms, India is also expected to emphasise the need to restore trust in international relations, ensure freedom of navigation, and strengthen resilient supply chains in the backdrop of the current geopolitical situation.
Any country will need to secure a two-thirds majority of the votes cast on the day of the election to win the seat. The election will be held next year.
