India elected unopposed to UNSC non-permanent seat for the eighth time with 184 votes

India has been elected as a non-permanent member to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for the eighth-time after voting concluded at the UN headquarters in New York City on Wednesday, June 17. India was the only country from the Asia-Pacific Group and won the election unopposed. The UNSC term will begin in January 2021.

READ: Elections For Five Non-permanent Members Of UNSC Next Month; India Assured Of Seat

India elected for the eighth time

READ: LAC Faceoff: PM Modi Warns China, Says 'India Capable Of Befitting Reply If Instigated'

On June 5, the Ministry of External Affairs released the brochure which outlined India's priorities to secure a seat. "Ten years since we were last elected to the Security Council, we are facing four very different challenges to international peace and security – the normal process of international governance has been at an increasing strain as frictions have increased, traditional and non-traditional security challenges continue to grow unchecked -- terrorism is the most egregious of such examples. Global institutions remain unreformed and under representative, they are therefore less able to deliver, the COVID-19 pandemic and its grave economic repercussions will test the world like never before," he said.

READ: 'China Violated Moldo Agreements, Responsible For Violence:' Jaishankar Tells Chinese FM

India has been actively pursuing a permanent membership in the UN Security Council for years and has received support from four of the five permanent members. Barring China, the other permanent members of the Security Council have backed India to join as a permanent member, including two successive US governments.    

The UN General Assembly annually elects five non-permanent members (out of 10 in total) for a two-year term. The 10 non-permanent seats are distributed on a regional basis -- five for African and Asian States; one for Eastern European States; two for Latin American and Caribbean States; and two for Western European and other States.

READ: WHO Sees 'green Shoots Of Hope' As Countries Ramp Up COVID-19 Testing, Tracing

(Image credits: twitter.com/IndiaUNNewYork)