New Delhi renews its push for significant reforms to UNSC

(MENAFN) India has renewed its push for significant reforms to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), calling for broader representation that reflects today's global realities. Speaking on behalf of the G4 nations—India, Brazil, Germany, and Japan—at a meeting of the Intergovernmental Negotiations (IGN) framework on Tuesday, India’s UN ambassador, P. Harish, emphasized the urgency of making the UNSC more inclusive and responsive.

Harish argued that the UNSC must adapt to modern geopolitical dynamics, warning that resistance to real reform would place nations "on the wrong side of history." The G4 proposal calls for expanding the Council’s membership from 15 to 25 or 26 seats, including 11 permanent members and 14–15 non-permanent ones.

He criticized any reform plans that only increase non-permanent members, saying such changes fail to correct the imbalance in permanent representation, particularly from developing regions like Africa. The G4 suggests adding six new permanent seats: two for Africa, two for the Asia-Pacific, one for Latin America and the Caribbean, and one for Western Europe.

Harish also dismissed suggestions that religion should factor into decisions about UNSC membership, saying that representation should remain rooted in geography, as per long-standing UN principles.

France, which currently holds the UNSC presidency, reiterated its support for permanent membership for India, Brazil, Germany, and Japan, along with two seats for African nations. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has also pledged to see Africa gain two permanent seats before his term ends in 2026.

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