India has renewed its call for urgent reform of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). Parvathaneni Harish, India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, criticized the current structure for damaging the UN’s credibility.
Speaking at the Plenary of the Intergovernmental Negotiations on UNSC reform on Wednesday, Harish stressed the need for change. He said, “My delegation agrees with the assertion that the UN Security Council in its current design is detrimental to the credibility and effectiveness of the UN and must be addressed at the earliest. We need a UN Security Council that reflects the new multipolar world of today.”
India Rejects Religion-Based Claims
Harish firmly opposed the idea of representation based on religion or faith. He clarified India’s position, saying, “My delegation does not support any claims being made by so-called cross-regional groups on the basis of faith or religion, which cannot be the sole basis for representation in the Council.”
Advocating Fair Representation
India supports adding new non-permanent seats to the UNSC. Harish, however, insisted that expansion should focus on the non-permanent category.
He also highlighted the importance of fair geographical representation in the permanent category. He stated, “India underscores equitable geographical representation in the permanent category. In particular, the inclusion of regions such as Africa, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and the Caribbean is essential for a legitimate and effective Council.”
Reform for Global Effectiveness
Harish argued that including more regions will make the UNSC more representative and capable of solving global problems. He reaffirmed India’s commitment to reforming the UNSC to reflect the changing global landscape.
India’s proposal focuses on giving all regions a fair voice in decision-making. Harish emphasized that these changes are essential for creating a stronger and more effective UNSC in today’s multipolar world.