PERSPECTIVE India as a Non-permanent Member of the UN Security Council in 2011-12 CHANGAVALLI SIVA RAMA MURTHY May 2011 n India’s election as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for 2011/2012 is an acknowledgement of its growing importance in global governance and was made possible by the mature support extended by regional rivals such as Pakistan and China. n During its UNSC membership India will stick to its traditional foreign policy values and goals: the non-use of force; respect for the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of states; and the peaceful settlement of disputes. n India will assist the Council in focusing on existing and emerging, non-traditional threats, such as terrorism, proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and piracy. n India has always preferred to be part of the democratic majority helping in the adop­tion of broadly acceptable decisions and resolutions. In the past, India has not voted against any resolution, but it has resorted to abstentions only to signal its reserva­tions. Even when it abstained, India had the company of other member countries. n The presence of India, Brazil, and South Africa in the Council this year may yield mean­ingful team work on Iran and other issues of shared concern. They could become the nucleus of a coalition on salient issues, notwithstanding some differences in emphasis between them on some issues and approaches.