India has reiterated its call for comprehensive reforms of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), emphasising that the veto power held by its five permanent members must be exercised with restraint and should not become an instrument of narrow political expediency.
Delivering India’s statement at the United Nations in New York, India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Parvathaneni Harish, said the veto carries significant responsibility, particularly on matters concerning international peace and security.
India has consistently maintained that the veto, currently available only to the five permanent members — China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States — must be exercised responsibly, he said.
Highlighting the historical use of the veto, Harish said it had been exercised 331 times on around 200 resolutions during the UN’s existence. He noted that the disproportionate use of the veto by a limited number of permanent members had raised concerns about the credibility of the Security Council.
He also referred to the UN General Assembly’s adoption of Resolution 76/262 in 2022, which provides for a General Assembly debate following the exercise of a veto in the Security Council. However, he said the continued use of the veto showed that the mechanism had not brought about the expected change in practice.
India Seeks Simultaneous Progress on All Reform Areas
Harish stressed that veto reform cannot be pursued in isolation and must be addressed alongside other critical aspects of Security Council reform.
These include the categories of membership, regional representation, the Council’s size and working methods, along with the question of the veto.
India called for the early commencement of text-based negotiations with clearly defined timelines and milestones to advance the reform process.
The Indian envoy said limiting the veto alone would not fundamentally alter the decision-making dynamics among the permanent members, underlining the need for a comprehensive approach to reform.
Concern Over Informal Blocking Mechanisms
Harish also drew attention to what he described as an “effective or de facto veto” in the Council’s working procedures.
He said the requirement for consensus in decisions concerning presidential statements, press statements and sanctions committees could allow a single member to block proposals, sometimes without providing an explanation.
According to India, such informal blocking mechanisms also need to be considered while reforming the Council’s decision-making processes.
India Backs Equal Rights for Permanent Members in an Expanded Council
Reaffirming India’s alignment with the Common African Position on Security Council reform, Harish said all permanent members of a reformed Council should enjoy the same rights and responsibilities, including the veto for as long as the power continues to exist.
He opposed the creation of a separate category of permanent members with or without veto powers, arguing that such an arrangement could perpetuate existing inequalities.
India maintained that a reformed Security Council must ensure greater fairness and representation while addressing the concerns of countries and regions that remain underrepresented in the current structure.
The call comes amid continuing discussions at the United Nations on reforming the Security Council to make it more representative and responsive to contemporary global challenges.
