Key Details
India’s campaign combines its diplomatic priorities, global development record and peacekeeping experience into a structured agenda centred on the SHANTI framework for international cooperation.
Campaign Element | Key Focus | Strategic Purpose |
|---|---|---|
UNSC candidature | Election to the UN Security Council for 2028–29 | Expand India’s role in global peace and security decision-making |
SHANTI framework | Securing Holistic Advancement through Norms, Trust and Integrity | Presents India’s vision for a secure, inclusive and rules-based international order |
Priority agenda | Global South, UN reforms, peacekeeping, AI governance, maritime security, climate action and counter-terrorism | Defines India’s proposed areas of engagement if elected |
India’s credentials | Nearly 300,000 peacekeepers deployed historically; 4,300 personnel currently serving in 10 of 11 UN missions; development partnerships in 100+ countries | Demonstrates India’s record as a contributor to global public goods |
India Frames Its UNSC Campaign Around SHANTI
India has formally launched its campaign for election as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for 2028–29, using the occasion to present SHANTI (Securing Holistic Advancement through Norms, Trust and Integrity) as its guiding framework for global governance.
Rather than focusing only on its candidature, India argued that increasingly interconnected challenges - including conflict, climate change, technological disruption and supply-chain vulnerabilities - require stronger multilateral cooperation, greater trust among nations and institutions that better reflect contemporary global realities.
A Broader Agenda for International Cooperation
The campaign identifies several priorities that India would pursue if elected, including UN Security Council reform, stronger representation for the Global South, modernisation of UN peacekeeping, responsible AI governance, maritime security, counter-terrorism, and the integration of climate action with sustainable development.
It also introduces MANAV, India’s proposed framework for responsible artificial intelligence, signalling that emerging technologies are becoming an important part of India’s diplomatic agenda alongside traditional security issues.
India’s Campaign Builds on Its Global Record
India positions its candidature around its long-standing contributions to international peace and development. It highlighted its deployment of nearly 300,000 peacekeepers across UN missions, the 4,300 personnel currently serving in 10 of the 11 active peacekeeping operations, and development partnerships spanning more than 100 countries.
The campaign also highlights India’s humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, capacity-building programmes and development projects across 79 countries, reinforcing its claim to represent the interests of developing countries within global institutions.
What is SHANTI?
SHANTI (Securing Holistic Advancement through Norms, Trust and Integrity) is India’s proposed framework for international cooperation, advocating stronger multilateral institutions, respect for international law, trust-based partnerships and inclusive global governance.
Policy Relevance
The campaign reinforces India’s long-standing objective of securing a greater role in global governance, while advancing reforms to make the UN Security Council more representative and effective.
The SHANTI framework positions India as a proponent of rules-based, development-oriented multilateralism, linking peace, sustainable development and international cooperation.
India’s emphasis on the Global South reflects its effort to shape international decision-making around the priorities of developing countries, including equitable development and climate justice.
The inclusion of AI governance, maritime security and counter-terrorism signals an expansion of India’s diplomatic agenda into emerging strategic domains.
India’s peacekeeping record, development partnerships and humanitarian assistance are presented as evidence of its contribution to global public goods, strengthening its international credentials.
Relevant Question for Policy Stakeholders: How can India translate the SHANTI framework into practical coalitions and diplomatic initiatives that strengthen support for both its 2028–29 Security Council campaign and its broader objective of UN reform?
Follow the Full News Here: Address by EAM Dr. S. Jaishankar at the launch of India’s campaign for United Nations Security Council 2028-29