India Advocates for UN Security Council Reform with Permanent Veto Expansion

India has reiterated its stance on the necessity of reforming the United Nations Security Council, advocating for the expansion of permanent membership with veto power. Ambassador Parvathaneni Harish highlighted that without such changes, existing imbalances will persist. He pointed out the historical context of previous reforms and emphasized the need for a structure that reflects current geopolitical realities. India has long sought a permanent seat at the UNSC, arguing that the current configuration is outdated. The call for reform is seen as critical to enhancing the legitimacy and effectiveness of the Council in addressing global challenges.

By Narendra Chaudhary Apr 15, 2026, 13:18 IST

India's Call for UN Security Council Reform

A file image of Indian Ambassador to UN, Parvathaneni Harish. (Photo:@AmbHarishP/X)

United Nations, Apr 15: India has emphasized that any reform of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) must include an expansion of the permanent membership category with veto power to avoid perpetuating existing disparities and inequities within the UN framework.

During the Inter-Governmental Negotiations (IGN) meeting focused on UNSC reforms, India's Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Parvathaneni Harish, pointed out that the last reform in the 1960s, which only added non-permanent members, inadvertently strengthened the influence of existing veto-holding nations.

Initially, the ratio of permanent members with veto power to non-permanent members was 5:6, but it shifted to 5:10, favoring those with veto authority.

Harish stated, "Any reform that does not include an expansion of the permanent category with veto will worsen this ratio and thus maintain the current imbalances. Therefore, expanding the permanent category with veto is essential for genuine reform of the Security Council."

He highlighted two key factors contributing to the UNSC's lack of legitimacy and representativeness: its membership structure and the veto power.

"There is widespread consensus on the urgent need to reform the UN Security Council. A structure established over 80 years ago is ill-equipped to address today's geopolitical realities," Harish remarked.

India has been a leading voice in advocating for UNSC reform for decades, pushing for an increase in both permanent and non-permanent memberships, arguing that the current 15-member Council, created in 1945, is outdated and does not reflect modern geopolitical dynamics.

New Delhi has asserted its rightful claim to a permanent seat at the decision-making table.

Harish also cautioned that introducing a new category, with or without veto, could complicate the ongoing discussions, which already encompass a variety of perspectives.

"It is crucial to confine the reform discussions to the existing framework to expedite the reform process," he added.

India also raised concerns about the concept of an "effective veto" that all Security Council members, both elected and non-elected, possess over outcomes such as presidential statements, press releases, and sanctions committees.

"There have been instances where elected members have obstructed Council products by exercising their effective veto to serve their narrow interests," he noted.