India Calls for Structural Reforms in UN Security Council Over Legitimacy and Representation

India has highlighted the United Nations Security Council's struggles to deliver peace and reconciliation in major global conflicts. Speaking at the UN General Assembly during a discussion on equitable representation and membership increase, India's Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Harish Parvathaneni, stated that authority derived from victory in the Second World War cannot compensate for the current legitimacy deficit of an unrepresentative UNSC.

Parvathaneni noted that an organization unable to renew its principal organ will find it increasingly difficult to command authority in a modern world. He emphasized that the year 1945 cannot serve as the sole reference point for contemporary global challenges. According to India, the credibility of the United Nations is called into question as conflicts multiply and the council struggles to respond effectively.

The address also drew attention to the historical context of the UN's founding. India pointed out the sacrifices made during the world wars, noting that around 2.5 million Indians participated, with approximately 90,000 losing their lives in military service, alongside millions who died during the Bengal famine due to colonial war policies. Parvathaneni described the UNSC as an organization crafted of, for, and by the victors, which initially failed to include the concerns of victims.

Addressing regional representation, India highlighted severe imbalances within the 15-nation council. The council currently features five permanent veto-wielding members—China, France, Russia, the UK, and the US—alongside 10 elected members serving two-year terms. India pointed out that the Asia-Pacific Group, representing over 60 percent of the global population, has limited representation compared to Europe, which holds two permanent and three elected seats. Africa and Latin America also remain under-represented.

India, which is vying for a non-permanent UNSC seat for the 2028-29 term, argued that expanding only the non-permanent category leaves the central imbalance untouched. The country called for an expansion in both permanent and non-permanent categories, stating that a two-tier permanent membership would institutionalize inequality.

Furthermore, India criticized the Intergovernmental Negotiations (IGN) process, noting that for over a decade and a half, member states have exchanged prepared statements without a text, timeframe, or defined end goal. Parvathaneni stated that proceeding without a text represents a perpetuation of the status quo rather than genuine negotiation.

"From a macroeconomic and geopolitical perspective, institutional frameworks must evolve alongside global economic and demographic shifts to remain effective. The current imbalances in international governance structures highlight the ongoing need for institutional modernization. For businesses operating globally, stable geopolitical frameworks and equitable international cooperation remain critical variables in long-term strategic planning and market risk management." — Dr. Shishir Gupta, Founder & CEO, StartupLanes