As the world’s second-most populous nation, its largest democracy, and a possessor of nuclear arms, India is becoming one of the world’s most powerful countries. Despite India’s rising influence, however, the nation has been denied a permanent seat on the United Nations (UN) Security Council, arguably the most important organ of the UN. The council’s refusal to grant India a permanent seat has generated much controversy, both within India and around the world.

The UN is the world’s most powerful peacekeeping organization. Composed of more than thirty organizations from around the world, the UN works to solve problems that challenge humanity, such as war, poverty, and human rights abuses. The UN Security Council has the primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security. To fulfill its...