UN Chief Strongly Advocates India's Permanent Seat at United Nations Security Council

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres Backs India's Quest for Permanent UNSC Seat

In a resounding show of support, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has reaffirmed his unwavering advocacy for India's inclusion as a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).

A Strong Advocate for Reform

Stephane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, conveyed Mr. Guterres's commitment to Security Council reform during the ASEAN-India Summit and East Asia Summit held in Jakarta.

Guterres firmly believes in reshaping the UNSC to better reflect the contemporary global landscape, moving beyond the framework established in 1945.

India's Call for a More Inclusive UNSC

India, a prominent player on the international stage, has been championing reforms at the UNSC. India's Permanent Representative to the UN, Ruchira Kamboj, emphasized the need for a Security Council that mirrors the geographical and developmental diversity of the modern United Nations. She highlighted the importance of amplifying the voices of developing nations and regions that have been underrepresented.

India's Vigorous Pursuit of UNSC Membership

India's commitment to UNSC reform extends to the highest levels of government. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar emphasized that excluding India from permanent UNSC membership would cast doubts on the credibility of the international organization.

Ambassador Ruchira Kamboj underscored that merely addressing working methods would not suffice; substantial reforms are imperative.

BRICS Support for UNSC Reforms

The BRICS Summit in August further solidified the call for UNSC reforms. Prime Minister Narendra Modi stressed the need for change within the UNSC, advocating for a more democratic, representative, and effective Council.

The joint BRICS statement echoed these sentiments, voicing support for the aspirations of emerging and developing nations, including India, Brazil, and South Africa.

UN Chief's Expectations for the G20 Summit

Secretary-General Guterres also shared his expectations for the upcoming G20 Summit in Delhi, under India's leadership. He underscored the significance of the G20 theme, "One Family, One Planet, One Earth," in addressing global challenges.

Guterres emphasized the importance of unity in a multipolar world and expressed confidence that India, as the G20 President, would play a pivotal role in bridging geopolitical divides and fostering cooperation among the world's leading economies.

India's Diplomatic Engagements

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's active diplomatic engagements, including attending the ASEAN-India and East Asia Summits in Jakarta, reflect India's commitment to global cooperation.

India's leadership at the upcoming G20 Summit on September 9-10 is poised to contribute to meaningful outcomes in the face of complex global challenges.

Here are some of the latest facts about the UNSC reform process:

• The UNSC currently has five permanent members: China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

• There are also ten non-permanent members, which are elected by the UN General Assembly for two-year terms.

• There have been many proposals for UNSC reform, but no agreement has been reached.

• One of the main challenges to reform is the disagreement between countries about how to expand the council and which countries should be given permanent seats.

• Another challenge is the veto power that the five permanent members have. This gives them the ability to block any action by the council.

The United Nations Security Council UNSC reform process is likely to continue for many years. However, Guterres's strong advocacy for India's UNSC bid is a positive development and it gives the country a better chance of achieving its goal.