The structure of the UN Security Council (SC) is outdated and does not correspond to modern world realities. The process of reforming this structure is progressing at a slow pace, India’s permanent representative to the UN, Parvataneni Harish said.
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“The structure of the UN Security Council in its current form reflects 1945. It does not correspond to modern world realities and prevents this body from effectively solving pressing problems,” the diplomat emphasized, speaking at Columbia University.
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According to Harish, the very difficult process of reforming the UN Security Council, which began 15-16 years ago, is moving slowly and faces resistance from a number of countries who fear the inclusion of potential rival states.
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“The permanent members of the UN Security Council do not want to give up their status and the right to veto. Those who believe that their neighboring state has a chance to become a member of the UN Security Council will oppose expanding the number of permanent members at any cost,” the permanent representative said.
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Noting that India, along with Brazil, Germany and Japan, has long been in favor of expanding the number of permanent members of the UN Security Council, Harish called on the co-chairs of the international negotiation process to move decisively towards its reform.
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India is one of the most active countries seeking reform of the UN Security Council. Currently it has five permanent members: Russia, Great Britain, China, USA and France. Each of these countries has veto power in the Security Council. 10 members of the Security Council, elected on a geographical basis, have the status of non-permanent members.
