India has reiterated its call for comprehensive reforms to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), emphasizing the need for changes that encompass membership categories, regional representation, council size, working methods, and veto power. During a speech at the United Nations, India’s Permanent Representative, Parvathaneni Harish, articulated that reform must tackle all these areas collectively rather than isolating the issue of veto power.
Harish highlighted the significant responsibility that comes with the power of veto, advocating for its restrained application, particularly in matters of international peace and security. India contends that the veto should not serve narrow political interests, as its disproportionate use by a limited number of countries has reportedly compromised the UNSC’s credibility and effectiveness.
The current structure of the UNSC grants veto power exclusively to its five permanent members: the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Russia, and China. Harish noted that throughout the UN’s history, the veto has been employed 331 times, with the majority of these instances attributed to three of the five permanent members. He also referred to a 2022 initiative proposing the UN General Assembly convene a debate each time a veto is cast, in an effort to enhance accountability.
India insists that any new framework for permanent membership should ensure equal rights and responsibilities among permanent members, including equal access to veto power. It cautioned that establishing a separate category of permanent members without equivalent veto rights might further complicate the reform process.
Furthermore, India reaffirmed its support for the Common African Position, which advocates for a unified approach by the African Union in reforming the Security Council. This call is part of India’s broader push for a more representative and accountable Security Council that can effectively respond to contemporary global challenges.