India Launches SHANTI Campaign for UNSC Bid

India launched its official campaign on 13 July 2026 for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council for the 2028-29 term. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar unveiled the campaign and India’s SHANTI vision at the United Nations headquarters in New York.

United Nations Security Council and Non-Permanent Seats

The United Nations Security Council has 15 members, including 5 permanent members and 10 non-permanent members elected by the United Nations General Assembly. Non-permanent members serve two-year terms, and elections are held by regional group allocation. The Asia-Pacific Group has one seat in the 2028-29 election cycle, and India will contest that seat against Tajikistan in elections scheduled for June 2027. India has served eight terms as a non-permanent member of the Security Council, including the 2021-22 term.

SHANTI Vision and Its Components

SHANTI stands for Securing Holistic Advancement through Norms, Trust and Integrity. The framework covers peacekeeping operations, maritime security, terrorism and its financing, responsible use of artificial intelligence, sustainable development, and reforms in global institutions. The campaign links India’s UNSC bid with support for the voice of the Global South and with consensus-building on international security and development issues. The SHANTI vision places emphasis on norms, trust, and integrity as guiding principles for multilateral cooperation.

India and the United Nations System

India joined the United Nations in 1945 as one of the founding members. India has participated in UN peacekeeping missions for several decades and has contributed personnel to missions in Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. India has also supported reforms in global governance institutions, including calls for wider representation of developing countries in decision-making bodies.

Important Facts for Exams

• The United Nations Security Council was established in 1945 under the UN Charter.
• The Security Council has five permanent members: China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
• Non-permanent members of the Security Council are elected for two-year terms.
• India last served on the Security Council during the 2021-22 term.