UNITED NATIONS (TIP): In an extremely significant diplomatic victory for India, the Asia-Pacific group of the world body, including Pakistan and China, unanimously endorsed India’s candidature for a non-permanent seat at the United Nations Security Council for a two-year term.

“A unanimous step. Asia-Pacific Group UN unanimously endorses India’s candidature for a non-permanent seat of the security council for two-year term in 2021-22. Thanks to all 55 members for their support,” India’s Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Syed Akbaruddin tweeted on June 25.

The Council is composed of 15 Members: Five permanent members: China, France, Russian Federation, the United Kingdom, and the United States, and ten non-permanent members elected for two-year terms by the General Assembly. Each year the 193-member UN General Assembly (UNGA) elects five non-permanent members for a two-year term.

Previously, India has been elected as a non-permanent member of the Council for the years 1950–1951, 1967–1968, 1972–1973, 1977–1978, 1984–1985, 1991–1992 and most recently in 2011–2012.