India calls for urgent United Nations Security Council reforms

India has called for urgent reforms to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), arguing that the current decision-making structure must be updated to reflect modern global realities. During a UNSC Open Debate on Working Methods, Ambassador Yojna Patel, Charge d’Affaires of India’s Permanent Mission to the UN, stated that the need for reform is “more pronounced and pressing than ever before.”

Patel emphasized that the world has changed significantly since 1945, noting that UN membership has grown fourfold. She argued that the outcomes of conflicts from 80 years ago should not indefinitely dictate the composition and working methods of the Council. India is seeking expansion in both membership categories, with a specific focus on increasing representation for the Global South and developing nations.

India proposes that these changes be achieved through text-based negotiations with clearly defined milestones and timelines. Furthermore, Patel noted that improvements to the Council’s working methods should not be treated in isolation but must be part of a broader reform package that includes addressing regional representation and the veto issue.