India has reiterated its demand for comprehensive reforms to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), emphasizing the need for changes across several key areas including membership categories, regional representation, the council’s size, working procedures, and the use of veto power. Speaking at the United Nations, India’s Permanent Representative, Parvathaneni Harish, insisted that these reforms should be holistic and not isolate the issue of veto powers from other aspects.
Harish highlighted the significant responsibility that comes with the power to veto, advocating for its restrained use, especially on matters of international peace and security. He argued that the veto should not serve narrow political interests, noting that its disproportionate use by a few countries has eroded the council’s credibility and effectiveness. The current veto power is exclusively held by the five permanent members: the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Russia, and China.
The Indian representative pointed out that the veto had been exercised 331 times throughout the UN’s history, with the majority of these instances involving three of the five permanent members. He referenced a 2022 initiative that mandates the UN General Assembly to hold a debate whenever a veto is cast, aiming to enhance accountability.
India also stressed that any new framework for permanent membership should guarantee equal rights and responsibilities for all permanent members, including equal access to veto power. It warned that establishing a separate category of permanent members without equivalent veto rights could further complicate reform efforts.
Additionally, India reaffirmed its endorsement of the Common African Position, which advocates for a unified approach by the African Union to reform the Security Council. This call for reform underscores India’s broader agenda for a more inclusive and accountable Security Council, capable of addressing contemporary global challenges effectively.