India launches bid for 2028–29 UN Security Council seat as diplomatic contest heats up

India has formally launched its campaign for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for the 2028–2029 term, kicking off what is expected to be an intense diplomatic effort over the coming year.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar inaugurated the campaign at a special event at the UN Headquarters in New York. He also held talks with UN Secretary-General António Guterres as India began seeking support from UN member states.

The campaign is being run under the theme "#India4UNSC: Peace, Planet, Progress."

India pitches itself as voice of the Global South

India is presenting itself as a country that can represent the concerns of developing nations at a time of growing global instability.

Officials said ongoing conflicts, including the war in Ukraine and tensions in West Asia, have had a major impact on developing countries by disrupting supplies of food, fertilisers and energy.

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Through its campaign, India has said it wants to ensure that the concerns of the Global South receive greater attention at the Security Council and are not overshadowed by rivalry among major powers.

Diplomatic race begins

The election for the non-permanent seat is expected to be held in June next year, and India faces competition from Tajikistan for the single Asia-Pacific seat.

New Delhi has already secured early backing from several countries, including the United States, Austria, Sri Lanka and Fiji.

However, Tajikistan has the support of the 57-member Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), making the contest more competitive. India is expected to step up diplomatic outreach to countries in Africa, the Caribbean and Central Asia in the months ahead.

Renewed push for Security Council reform

Alongside its election campaign, India has once again called for reforms to the UN Security Council.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said developing countries deserve a greater role in global decision-making and that reforms to the Security Council can no longer be delayed.

India has long argued that the Council's structure, largely unchanged since 1945, does not reflect current global realities. It believes broader representation is needed to make the UN more effective and representative.

India last served as a non-permanent member of the Security Council during the 2021–2022 term. A successful bid would mark its return to the Council for the 2028–2029 term.