India has reiterated its call for comprehensive reforms of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), emphasizing the need for equal veto rights among permanent members as a crucial component of the changes. Addressing the United Nations, India’s Permanent Representative, Parvathaneni Harish, highlighted that the reform process should encompass all aspects simultaneously, including membership categories, regional representation, council size, working methods, and the veto power.
Harish argued that the veto, reserved for the council’s five permanent members—the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Russia, and China—should not be used to further narrow political interests and must be wielded with restraint, especially in matters of international peace and security. He pointed out that the selective use of veto power has compromised the council’s credibility and effectiveness, noting that the veto has been exercised 331 times in the UN’s history, predominantly by three of the permanent members.
India supports a 2022 initiative that mandates the UN General Assembly to convene a debate whenever a veto is cast, aiming to enhance accountability. Harish also underscored India’s stance that any new framework for permanent membership should ensure equal rights and responsibilities, including access to veto power, warning that creating a separate category of permanent members without equivalent veto rights could further complicate the reform efforts.
Reaffirming its commitment to the Common African Position, India advocated for a unified approach by the African Union in reforming the Security Council. This position aligns with India’s broader push for a more representative and accountable Security Council that can effectively address contemporary global challenges.