Jaishankar responds to a dignitary’s “ICC test ranking” proposal for India’s UNSC membership with the “BCCI.”

Raisina Dialogue 2024: During the current Raisina Dialogue 2024 in the nation’s capital, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Friday, February 23, responded humorously to a question on India’s permanent membership in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). The change occurred as a result of an Australian dignitary’s suggestion to look at “ICC test ranking” as a potential fix. Michael Fullilove, the executive director of Australia’s Lowy Institute, said at a conference that UNSC membership may be determined by ICC Test rankings.

“I had a new idea on this panel during the interesting conversation about UN security reform,” inquired Fullilove. That some progress has been made at the margins pleases me. However, sometimes an unconventional solution is all you need to succeed in these challenging diplomatic conversations. My novel suggestion is that we base Security Council membership on the results of the ICC exam.”

And this would be fantastic for Australia and terrific for India. Additionally, it would promote cricket’s expansion around the globe. Thus, minister, would you agree with me on that?” He enquired of the Minister.

What Jaishankar said
In answer to the challenging question, Jaishankar made a clever allusion to the BCCI.

Indeed, I believe it’s known as the idea’s kernel. However, I believe leaving it to BCCI would be a wiser course of action, Jaishankar said.

Notably, India has served eight terms (16 years) as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council. India is a part of the G4, a coalition of countries that supports one another’s bid for UNSC permanent membership. The nations have argued in favor of UNSC reform.

During his July visit to France last year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi presented a compelling case for India’s admission to the UN Security Council as a permanent member. He had said that because the greatest democracy and the most populated nation in the UN are not permanent members, the organization cannot legitimately claim to be speaking for the whole globe.

Raisina Conversation 2024
The Ministry of External Affairs, in partnership with the Observer Research Foundation, is organizing India’s premier conference on geopolitics and geoeconomics, Raisina Dialogue, which entered its ninth edition in New Delhi on Wednesday.

In order to properly represent the developing countries on the international scene, India has long sought a permanent seat in the UNSC. Support from powerful individuals like UNGA president Dennis Francis, who is confident in India’s potential to make a good contribution to international peace and security, has also given the nation’s search more impetus.

During his visit to India in January of this year, Dennis Francis, the President of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), said, “India is a mature, highly respected member of the United Nations.” In many respects, it is a leader. And I have no doubt that the General Assembly members are aware of this.”

“Therefore, I wish the Indian government and people every success in their endeavor to become permanent members of the council. The members will have to decide whether or not it happens,” he said.