LESSON–5 : INTERNATIONAL DEMOCRATIC
INSTITUTIONS – ROLE OF INDIA
1. Introduction: Meaning of International Organisations
International organisations play a vital role in maintaining peace, cooperation and better
human life at the global level. An international organisation is an organisation that:
• Facilitates cooperation among states (countries)
• Works for common global goals
• Promotes peace, security and development
With the advancement in communication and transportation, the world has become a
global village. No country can develop in isolation. Hence, international cooperation is
essential for:
• Economic development
• Political diplomacy
• Maintenance of peace
To regulate relations among states, rules known as International Law are framed.
International organisations are required to create, implement and enforce international
law.
2. United Nations and India
Background: League of Nations
• Established in 1919–20 after World War I
• Objective: To prevent international conflicts and protect humanity
• Failed to stop World War II (1939), leading to massive loss of life and property
Formation of the United Nations (UN)
• April 25, 1945: 51 nations met at San Francisco (USA)
• June 26, 1945: UN Charter signed
• October 24, 1945: United Nations officially came into existence
• October 24 is celebrated every year as United Nations Day
3. Important Facts about the United Nations
• UN Charter signed on: 26 June 1945
• Charter came into operation: 24 October 1945
• UN formally established on: 24 October 1945
• Headquarters: New York (USA)
• Member States: 193
• Observer States: 2
4. Objectives of the United Nations (Article 1)
1. To protect future generations from the threat of war
2. To promote the well-being of people all over the world
3. To maintain international peace and security
4. To make collective efforts to tackle global threats such as terrorism and climate
change
5. To promote international cooperation and friendly relations among nations
5. Principles of the United Nations (Article 2)
1. Sovereign equality of all member states
2. Peaceful settlement of international disputes
3. No threat or use of force against territorial integrity of any state
4. All members shall abide by the UN Charter
5. Non-interference in the domestic affairs of member states
6. Membership of the United Nations
Types of Members
1. Founder Members
a. Countries that participated in the San Francisco Conference
b. Initially 51 members
2. New Members
a. Countries that later joined the UN
b. At present, 193 member states
Observer Status
• Non-member states may attend UN meetings as observers
• Observers cannot vote in the General Assembly
7. Organs of the United Nations
The United Nations has six main organs:
1. General Assembly
2. Security Council
3. Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)
4. Trusteeship Council
5. International Court of Justice (ICJ)
6. Secretariat
8. General Assembly
• Primary organ of the UN
• Known as the ‘World Parliament’ or ‘World Panchayat’
• Each country has one vote
• Maximum five representatives per country
• Meets at least once a year (third Tuesday of September)
• Emergency sessions may be called
• Decisions taken by majority vote
• Tenure of Speaker: 1 year (elected by secret ballot)
• First President: Paul Henri Spaak (Belgium)
9. Security Council
• Executive body of the UN
• Total Members: 15
o 5 Permanent Members (P5):
▪ Russia (former USSR)
▪ United Kingdom
▪ China
▪ United States of America
▪ France
o 10 Temporary Members elected for 2 years
• Decisions of permanent members are binding
• Each permanent member has Veto Power
• Chairmanship rotates monthly (alphabetical order)
• Responsible for maintaining international peace and security
10. Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)
• Promotes economic and social development
• Coordinates social and economic activities of nations
• Originally had 18 members
• Expanded to 54 members
• Members elected for 3 years
• One-third members retire annually
• Holds two sessions every year
11. Trusteeship Council
• Supervises backward and non-self-governing territories
• Members include:
o Administering countries
o Permanent members of Security Council
o Members elected by General Assembly (3 years)
• Meets twice a year (January and June)
• Ensures welfare and freedom of dependent territories
12. International Court of Justice (ICJ)
• Judicial organ of the UN
• Located at The Hague (Netherlands)
• Known as ‘Supreme Court of the World’
• 15 judges elected for 9 years
• Judges elected by General Assembly on recommendation of Security Council
• Settles disputes peacefully between countries
13. Secretariat
• Administrative organ of the UN
• Headed by the Secretary-General
• Implements UN decisions
• Keeps records and coordinates UN activities
• Secretary-General appointed by General Assembly on recommendation of Security
Council
• Current Secretary-General: Antonio Guterres
14. Specialised Agencies of the United Nations
1. UNESCO – United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
2. WHO – World Health Organization
3. FAO – Food and Agriculture Organization
4. ILO – International Labour Organization
5. IMF – International Monetary Fund
6. IBRD – International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (World Bank)
7. UPU – Universal Postal Union
15. India and the United Nations
• India is a founder member of the UN
• Strong supporter of UN objectives and principles
• Jawaharlal Nehru addressed UN General Assembly in 1948
• Temporary member of UN Security Council 7 times
• Demands permanent membership of Security Council
• Member of ECOSOC and Trusteeship Council
• Contributes 2.5% of UN budget
• Supports world peace, disarmament, anti-colonialism and international
cooperation
16. SAARC – South Asian Association for Regional
Cooperation
Meaning and Formation
• Full Form: South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation
• Established: 8 December 1985
• Headquarters: Kathmandu (Nepal)
• Official Language: English
Member Countries (8)
1. India
2. Pakistan
3. Bangladesh
4. Nepal
5. Bhutan
6. Sri Lanka
7. Maldives
8. Afghanistan
17. Objectives of SAARC
1. Promote welfare of South Asian people
2. Improve standard of living
3. Social, economic and cultural development
4. Enhance mutual trust
5. Strengthen cooperation among developing countries
18. Principles of SAARC
1. Respect sovereignty and integrity of each nation
2. Non-interference in internal affairs
3. Mutual cooperation
4. Decisions by consensus
19. Organisational Structure of SAARC
• SAARC Summit (Heads of States)
• Council of Ministers
• Standing Committee
• Technical Committees
• Secretariat (Secretary-General – tenure 2 years)
20. Importance of SAARC
1. Platform for addressing poverty, hunger and illiteracy
2. Promotes economic cooperation
3. Collective security and trust
4. Cultural exchange
5. Environmental protection
21. SAFTA – South Asian Free Trade Area
• Proposed: January 6, 2004 (Islamabad)
• Implemented: 1 January 2006
• Objective: Boost trade among SAARC countries
22. Problems of SAARC
1. Different political systems
2. Mutual distrust (India–Pakistan issue)
3. Dominant position of India
4. Irregular summits
5. National interest over regional interest
6. Interference by major powers
23. Role of India in SAARC
• Largest country in population and area
• Hosts multiple SAARC summits
• Promotes anti-terrorism cooperation
• Strong advocate of SAFTA
24. Other International Organisations
World Trade Organization (WTO)
• Established: 1 January 1995
• Headquarters: Geneva (Switzerland)
• Successor of GATT
• Promotes global trade
International Monetary Fund (IMF)
• Established: 27 December 1945
• Headquarters: Washington DC
• Promotes monetary cooperation and trade
UNCTAD
• Established: 1964
• Headquarters: Geneva
• Promotes trade and development
World Bank
• Established: July 1945
• Headquarters: Washington DC
• Provides loans and grants for development
🔑 Exam Tip (Class 10 PSEB)
• Focus on dates, headquarters, objectives, organs, and full forms
• Practice short answers + structured long answers
• Diagrams of UN organs & SAARC map are scoring areas