India’s UNSC 2028–29 Campaign: SHANTI Vision & Non-Permanent Seat Explained

15 Jul 2026

Subject: GS 2: International Relations

Context: India has officially launched its campaign for a non-permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for the 2028–29 term, guided by its SHANTI vision.

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United Nations Security Council (UNSC): Non-Permanent Seats

UNSC is the UN’s principal crisis-management body, tasked with maintaining international peace and security.
- Established in 1945, it is the only UN organ with the authority to issue legally binding resolutions, impose sanctions, and authorize military interventions.

SHANTI Vision: India’s Campaign for 2028–29 UNSC Seat

SHANTI Vision: India has launched its campaign under the SHANTI framework—Securing Holistic Advancement through Norms, Trust and Integrity.
- It emphasizes a rules-based international order, respect for international law, and cooperative global governance.
Voice of the Global South: India seeks to amplify the concerns of developing countries on development, peace, food, health, energy and climate security.

India at the UNSC: India has previously served as a non-permanent member of the Security Council eight times in 1950-51, 1967-68, 1972-73, 1977-78, 1984-85, 1991-92, 2011-12 and 2021-22.

Members: UNSC consists of 15 members; 5 permanent members (P5) with veto power and 10 non-permanent members elected by the UN General Assembly.
- Non-permanent members participate fully in Council deliberations but do not possess veto power.
Regional Distribution: The seats ensure equitable geographical representation and broader participation in maintaining international peace and security.
- Africa & Asia-Pacific: 5 seats (generally 3 Africa + 2 Asia-Pacific)
- Latin America & Caribbean: 2 seats
- Western Europe & Other States (WEOG): 2 seats
- Eastern Europe: 1 seat
Tenure: Non-permanent members serve a two-year term.
- Five members are elected every year to ensure continuity.
- A retiring member cannot be immediately re-elected.
Election Process: Election by the UN General Assembly: Elections are conducted through a secret ballot in the 193-member UN General Assembly (UNGA).
Voting Required: A candidate must secure a two-thirds majority of votes cast (at least 128 votes if all members vote), even when uncontested.