Srinagar, Oct. 28 -- I have heard the Indian case for a permanent Security Council seat often enough to recite it: the world's largest democracy, an ancient civilisation, a major contributor of blue helmets. All true, yet none of it has moved the five countries already seated there. They weren't chosen for being admirable; they were in the room in 1945, won the war, and wrote the rules that keep them there.

The Charter gives the Council primary responsibility for peace. Article 27 adds the catch: on any serious matter, all five permanent members must agree. One 'no' and the discussion is over. If you judge the veto only by the danger it was designed to prevent, i.e war between great powers, then, eighty years on, it has done its job. But...