'Reform Is The Key To Relevance': India's Permanent Representative To UN Bats For Expansion Of Security Council

India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador P. Harish spoke at the 79th Session of the UNGA on Monday. (Screengrab)

Speaking at the 79th Session of the UNGA, ambassador P. Harish said, “The world has changed profoundly and so have its concerns and opportunities

Underlining that “reform is the key to relevance,” India’s Permanent Representative to the UN on Monday called for comprehensive changes in the United Nations, including the Security Council.

Addressing the 79th Session of the UN General Assembly, Ambassador P Harish said, “The world has changed profoundly and so have its concerns and opportunities. It is essential that the UN be the central platform for finding common ground and way forward through reformed multilaterism.”

Ambassador Harish made these remarks during a debate on “Strengthening of the United Nations system.” This comes as India continues to push for UNSC reforms, including by engaging actively in the Intergovernmental Negotiations (IGN). As part of the G4 forum, New Delhi has advocated for expanding the security council to include more nations as permanent members to reflect current geopolitical realities.

‘Reform is the key to relevance’

Addressing the UN General Assembly, Harish echoed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s address at the Summit of the Future (SoTF) and said “Reform is the key to relevance.” “We continue to believe that the IGN input for SoTF did not go far enough in addressing the critical issues related to UN Security Council reforms and expansion,” he said.

More than 75 years after its inception, the United Nations works to maintain international peace and security, give humanitarian assistance to the needy, protect human rights, and uphold international law. The UNSC consists of 15 members: five permanent members with veto power and 10 non-permanent members elected for two-year terms. India has been demanding reforms in the world body and its UN Security Council in sync with the current world order.

UNSC Reforms

Standing at the UN stage, Ambassador Harish argued “We (India) wish that the views expressed by the majority of the U.N. member states had been clearly captured – in particular with regard to the expansion of UNSC in both permanent and non-permanent categories and beginning text-based negotiations within a fixed time frame. On this aspect, the Pact definitely falls short.”

“A UN that is effective and efficient; more representative and fit for purpose in the contemporary era, is therefore essential. The Pact and its annexes are a starting point, a means to an end, as we collectively work towards changing the world for the better,” he added.

On Sunday, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar took a critical view of the United Nations, saying it was “like an old company”, not entirely keeping up with the market but occupying the space. During an interaction at the Kautilya Economic Conclave here, he also said that two very serious conflicts are going on in the world. “And where is the UN on them, essentially a bystander,” the minister said.