India set for seat on UN Security Council

United Nations: India is all set to find a seat on the United Nations Security Council as a non-permanent member after a vote tomorrow in the United Nations General Assembly. If successful, as expected, India gains a seat at this august body after a gap of 19 years.

India's term, along with that of other freshly elected nations, will start 1 January 2011.

Kazakhstan pulled out from the race earlier this year and India walks into the Council as there is no other challenger from the region. India occupies the Asian vacancy alongside Africa and Latin America which too will witness uncontested elections as South Africa and Brazil occupy these vacancies.

The vacancy for west Europe is headed for a contest, however, with Canada, Germany and Portugal in contention.

The elections are significant in atleast one aspect in that three emerging economies – India, Brazil and South Africa will occupy seats on the Council at the same time.

Should West Germany secure a win then the configuration will be truly unique as all four members of the G4 (India, Brazil, Japan and Germany), who have waged a long campaign for permanent membership of the Council, will occupy seats here at the same time.