Indian President Pratibha Patil in her address to the nation on the Republic Day eve said as a member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), India will intensify efforts to effect concerted and collective global action against terrorism, and will also work with a deep sense of responsibility on all global issues. India was elected a non-permanent member of the UNSC this time with massive support from the UN members, securing 187 votes out of 192. Now, all BRIC countries are represented in the UNSC. India should take advantage of its present status and better rapport with major powers represented in the UN. The country should think beyond its permanent UNSC membership and make use of the present opportunity to play a lead role to reform and democratise the UN. The world body invented the veto power so that powerful nations could protect their self-interests. Now that the circumstances have changed, India, along with other like-minded nations, should persuade the UN to think in terms of evolving some rational and acceptable norms for exercising veto power. With many world leaders talking about democracy these days, it should not be difficult for the UN to move towards a democratic functioning. Its funding and membership should also reflect the size of GDP and population of member nations.
M G Warrier, Thiruvananthapuram
