MC Behera: On 27 July 2020, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reiterated his earlier stand on the ‘rebirth and reform’ of the UNO for its relevance in today’s World. Over these years, the permanent members are seen misusing veto powers and making a mockery of the rules-based global order. In recent years China has used veto thrice to protect UNSC’s measure to blacklist Pakistan based Jaish-e-Mohammad and declare its founder Masood Azhar a global terrorist.
Did the veto help in containing terrorism? No, and China’s effort in this regard is a threat to global peace and the stable world order; and more so, due to expansionist policy, violation of Human Rights (Tiananmen square massacre, repressions of Uyghur Muslims) and violation of international laws (South China sea conflict, hiding facts about corona). Death of lakhs of people and devastation of the global economy questions China’s responsible leadership towards the cause of humanity.
Does China deserve veto power then? Even due to this veto power, actions against its misdeeds cannot be initiated. It will certainly use the veto against the steps. No doubt, as PM Narendra Modi warns, the COVID-19 pandemic provides the context for the reform of the UNO so that it reflects current global realities. A movement in this regard is an urgent need of the time and intellectuals, media, diplomats have a greater role to play.
(The writer M. C. Behera is Professor at Arunachal Institute of Tribal Studies and Rajiv Gandhi University, Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh can be contacted email:mcbehera1959@gmail.com; (M): 9436252229)