India Calls for Urgent, Text-Based Negotiations on UN Security Council Reforms

India has voiced strong concerns over the latest draft document on United Nations Security Council (UNSC) reforms, urging a shift to structured, text-based negotiations to address long-standing issues of representation and effectiveness in the global body.

India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Harish Parvathaneni, articulated these views during an Inter-Governmental Negotiations (IGN) meeting on June 15, 2026. He emphasised that meaningful reform must go beyond superficial changes to reflect contemporary global realities.

India’s Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Harish Parvathaneni. | Moneycontrol

India's Critique of the Draft Elements Paper

Ambassador Parvathaneni criticised the co-chairs’ Revised Elements Paper for what India sees as subjective interpretations that do not fully capture the broad support among member states for expanding both permanent and non-permanent membership. He noted that the document appears to underrepresent the positions of a significant majority of countries that have formally submitted their views in favour of comprehensive reforms.

India has stressed that any expansion limited solely to non-permanent seats would be inadequate. “UNSC reform would be grossly inadequate, bordering on failure, if expansion is limited only to the non-permanent category as it would fundamentally not change the decision-making power-structure of the P5,” Parvathaneni stated. He added that member states and various groups have waited long enough for real and meaningful progress.

The ambassador also highlighted the need for the IGN process to align with established UN practices by moving promptly to negotiations based on a written text, complete with clear milestones and timelines.

The Case for UNSC Expansion

The United Nations Security Council, formed in 1945 in the aftermath of World War II, currently comprises five permanent members — the United States, Russia, China, France, and the United Kingdom — with veto powers, alongside ten elected non-permanent members. This structure, while instrumental in its time, is increasingly viewed as not fully representative of today’s multipolar world, where emerging economies and regions play vital roles in global affairs.

India, as the world’s most populous nation and a major contributor to UN peacekeeping operations, has consistently advocated for reforms that enhance the Council’s legitimacy, inclusivity, and effectiveness. Working closely with partners in the G4 group — Brazil, Germany, and Japan — India supports an increase in both permanent and non-permanent seats. Proposals often include provisions for new permanent members without immediate veto rights, subject to review after a specified period.

This position aligns with broader calls from developing countries, including the African Union’s Ezulwini Consensus, which seeks enhanced representation for Africa, as well as support from the L.69 group of developing nations.

Global Support and Persistent Challenges

UN Secretary-General António Guterres has repeatedly underscored the urgency of reform, describing the current Council as facing a “serious problem of legitimacy and ineffectiveness.” He has advocated for increasing both permanent and non-permanent members to better mirror today’s geopolitical landscape.

Despite widespread recognition of the need for change, progress has been slow. The IGN process, established under General Assembly Resolution 62/557, continues to seek consensus. Achieving Charter amendments requires a two-thirds majority in the General Assembly and ratification by all permanent members, presenting significant hurdles amid differing views among member states.

Groups such as Uniting for Consensus express reservations about specific candidacies, while others emphasise the importance of equitable regional representation. India’s intervention reflects its commitment to constructive dialogue aimed at overcoming these obstacles through transparent and inclusive negotiations.

The MGMM Outlook 

India’s renewed push for text-based negotiations on United Nations Security Council reforms highlights the growing demand for international institutions to reflect present-day geopolitical realities rather than structures established in the aftermath of World War II. By advocating the expansion of both permanent and non-permanent categories, India has reinforced the need for meaningful reforms that can enhance the Council’s legitimacy, inclusiveness, and effectiveness. Limiting reforms only to non-permanent seats would fail to address the concentration of decision-making power and would not deliver the transformative change sought by a majority of member states.

India’s position also underscores the aspirations of developing nations and emerging powers seeking greater representation in global governance. Working alongside the G4 nations and supported by broader groupings such as the African Union and the L.69 group, India continues to promote a more balanced and transparent reform process. The emphasis on structured, written negotiations with clear timelines demonstrates a commitment to constructive multilateralism and the creation of a United Nations system that is better equipped to address contemporary global challenges.

(Sources: Moneycontrol, Firstpost, NDTV)