India on Monday officially launched its campaign for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for the 2028-29 term, with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar unveiling the country's bid at a special event at the UN headquarters in New York. The campaign, titled "SHANTI: India for the United Nations Security Council 2028-29 – Norms, Trust, Integrity," outlines New Delhi's vision for strengthening multilateral cooperation and reinforcing its role in addressing global challenges through the United Nations.
The launch event was attended by UN ambassadors, diplomats and senior officials from member states. Presenting India's campaign, Jaishankar said the country's engagement with the United Nations is guided by the principle of "SHANTI", which stands for Securing Holistic Advancement through Norms, Trust and Integrity. The initiative reflects India's commitment to promoting international peace, sustainable development, inclusive global governance and a rules-based international order through constructive engagement within the UN system.
India is seeking to return to the Security Council after serving as a non-permanent member during the 2021-22 term. During that tenure, New Delhi participated in deliberations on key international issues, including counterterrorism, maritime security, peacekeeping, regional conflicts and global health. The country has consistently advocated for reforms of the UN Security Council, arguing that the current structure no longer adequately reflects contemporary geopolitical realities and calling for greater representation of developing nations, particularly from Asia, Africa and Latin America.
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The election for the 2028-29 non-permanent seat allocated to the Asia-Pacific Group is scheduled to take place in June next year at the UN General Assembly. India will contest the election against Tajikistan for the region's lone available seat. To secure the position, a candidate must obtain a two-thirds majority of votes from UN member states participating in the election. Diplomatic outreach over the coming months is expected to play a key role as both countries seek support from governments across different regional blocs.
As part of his visit to New York, Jaishankar is also scheduled to meet United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres to discuss a range of global and regional issues. The meeting is expected to cover developments within the UN, ongoing international conflicts, peacekeeping efforts, sustainable development goals and broader multilateral cooperation. The visit underscores India's continued engagement with the world body and its efforts to strengthen partnerships with member states ahead of the Security Council election.
India has long maintained that it is well-positioned to contribute to the Security Council because of its status as the world's most populous country, one of the largest economies and a leading contributor to UN peacekeeping operations. The country has also reiterated its aspiration for permanent membership of a reformed Security Council, arguing that broader representation is essential to enhance the body's legitimacy and effectiveness in addressing contemporary global challenges.
The launch of the SHANTI campaign marks the formal beginning of India's diplomatic push for the 2028-29 term. Over the coming year, Indian diplomats are expected to intensify engagement with UN member states to build support for the candidature. If elected, India would once again join the 15-member Security Council, participating in decisions related to international peace and security while advancing its vision of a more representative, effective and inclusive United Nations.
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