India is intensifying its call for urgent reforms in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), advocating for comprehensive changes that encompass membership categories, regional representation, council size, working methods, and particularly, the use of veto power. This push was articulated by India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Parvathaneni Harish, during a speech at the United Nations.
Harish emphasized that the reform process should not isolate the veto issue but address all these areas collectively. He underscored that the veto is a significant responsibility that should be wielded with restraint, especially on matters impacting international peace and security, a sentiment reflecting India’s stance against the veto’s use for narrow political gains.
The current structure of the UNSC grants veto power solely to its five permanent members: the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Russia, and China. Harish pointed out the frequent use of the veto by a few countries, which he argues has compromised the council’s credibility and effectiveness. He noted that the veto had been used 331 times throughout the UN’s history, with a majority of these instances involving three of the permanent members.
In 2022, an initiative was introduced requiring the UN General Assembly to hold a debate whenever a veto is cast, a move aimed at enhancing accountability. India supports this initiative and further insists that any new framework for permanent membership should ensure equal rights and responsibilities, including equal access to veto power. Harish warned that establishing a separate category of permanent members without equivalent veto rights could further complicate the reform process.
Moreover, India reaffirmed its commitment to the Common African Position, which champions a unified approach by the African Union in reforming the Security Council. This stance highlights India’s broader objective of creating a more representative and accountable Security Council that can effectively tackle today’s global challenges.