New Delhi: India on Monday renewed its call for comprehensive reforms of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), insisting that negotiations under the Intergovernmental Negotiations (IGN) framework should be conducted through a formal written text rather than informal discussions.
Speaking at a meeting of the IGN process at the United Nations headquarters in New York, India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Parvathaneni Harish, said the reform process should follow the same text-based approach adopted in other multilateral negotiations.
“The IGN cannot be fundamentally different from other UN processes, wherein negotiations are held based on a text,” Harish said, reiterating India’s long-standing demand for structured negotiations on one of the UN’s most significant reform agendas.
India also criticised the recently circulated Elements Paper, particularly its treatment of permanent membership in the Security Council. Harish objected to the document’s suggestion that the concept of permanency requires further clarification, arguing that the distinction between permanent and non-permanent members is already clearly defined in the UN Charter.
“The UN Charter is very clear on this question and there is no room for ambiguity. Article 23 clearly categorises the UNSC members into two: permanent and non-permanent,” he said.
The Indian envoy noted that influential blocs such as the African Group, G4 and L69 Group already recognise permanent membership in line with the UN Charter.
Harish further argued that the Elements Paper understates the broad support for expanding the Council’s permanent membership and increasing African representation. He said a majority of UN member states have endorsed these reforms either individually or through groups such as the G4, L69 and CARICOM.
India has consistently maintained that the current composition of the Security Council reflects the geopolitical realities of 1945 rather than those of the 21st century, and that reforms are essential to make the body more representative, effective and credible.
