Context: External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar held back-to-back meetings at the UN General Assembly to build support for India's bid for a non-permanent UN Security Council seat for 2028-29, even as India joined the 'Partnership for Multilateralism' (P4M) grouping. India faces a contest for the Asia-Pacific seat after Tajikistan also launched its candidature, unlike in previous elections where India ran unopposed.
At the 81st UN General Assembly session, India joined the Partnership for Multilateralism (P4M) — a "non-superpower" grouping launched by the EU, Brazil, Canada and Kenya — as a co-sponsor along with Australia and Barbados. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar's schedule included meetings with numerous Foreign Ministers, the Visegrad Group, CELAC nations, and preparatory talks ahead of PM Modi's planned visits to Brussels, Miami and Ottawa in December.
Central to GS2 International Relations: India's pursuit of UNSC reform and a permanent seat, coalition diplomacy through groupings like P4M, and balancing ties with US, Russia and the Global South amid sanctions pressure. It also connects with India's SCO, Quad, and BRICS engagements as part of its multi-aligned foreign policy strategy.
Test your understanding
Q1.How many times has India previously been elected as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council (as per the current campaign's context)?