French President Emmanuel Macron has voiced his support for India’s bid for permanent membership in a reformed United Nations Security Council (UNSC), emphasizing the need to expand this influential UN body. During his address at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Macron remarked, “We have a Security Council that is blocked… Let’s make the UN more efficient and representative.” He advocated for the inclusion of Germany, Japan, India, and Brazil as permanent members, along with two African nations chosen to represent the continent.
India has been a leading proponent of reforming the UNSC, arguing that it deserves a permanent seat at the table. The nation contends that the current structure of the 15-member council, established in 1945, is outdated and fails to reflect the geopolitical realities of the 21st century.
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Currently, the UNSC consists of five permanent members—Russia, the UK, China, France, and the United States—each possessing veto power over significant resolutions. In addition, there are ten non-permanent members elected for two-year terms by the UN General Assembly. India last held a non-permanent seat from 2021 to 2022, and there is an increasing consensus on the necessity to expand the number of permanent members to better represent global dynamics.
In his speech, Macron also called for reforms in the UNSC’s operational methods, suggesting a limitation on veto rights in cases of mass atrocities and highlighting the need for enhanced focus on operational decisions critical for maintaining international peace. “The time has come to regain efficiency in order to act better on the ground,” he stated.
Macron’s comments came shortly after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the ‘Summit of the Future,’ where he stressed that reforms in international institutions are vital for achieving global peace and development, asserting that such changes are essential for maintaining relevance in today’s world.
Additionally, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres echoed these sentiments, warning that the UNSC is increasingly seen as outdated and its authority is waning. He emphasized that without reforms in its composition and functioning, the UNSC risks losing all credibility. Guterres declared, “We can’t build a future for our grandchildren with a system built for our grandparents,” underscoring the urgency for change within the Council.
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