It’s a crucial day for India in its lengthy battle for a spot on the United Nations Security Council, and China could hold the key.

The nearly 200 member countries of the United Nations are meant to meet tonight to consider how to word the document that would call for reforming the Security Council. The top decision-making body currently has 15 members of which five, including China, Russia and the US, are permanent.

For the first time, different countries have submitted written suggestions for what the resolution should state. In what’s seen as an attempt to thwart India’s bid, the US, China and Russia have not participated in that exercise. Tonight, the UN will consider whether to formally extend the negotiations over the document for another year.

But China has been strongly opposing the expansion of the Security Council, and if it insists on a vote, India will have to get other countries on board to support the extended negotiations. Details