New York: French President Emmanuel Macron has publicly endorsed India’s bid for permanent membership in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) and advocated for an expansion of this crucial UN body. Speaking at the UN General Assembly on Wednesday, Macron emphasized the need for a more effective and representative Security Council.
He stated, “We have a Security Council that needs to be made more effective. We must make it more representative.” Macron outlined his support for expanding the council to include Germany, Japan, India, and Brazil as permanent members, along with two countries designated by Africa to represent the continent.
India’s Long-standing Call for UNSC Reforms
India has been at the forefront of efforts advocating for long-overdue reforms within the Security Council, asserting its entitlement to a permanent seat. The country argues that the council, established in 1945 with its current 15 members, is not suitable for the objectives of the 21st century and fails to reflect contemporary geopolitical realities.
Currently, the UNSC consists of five permanent members—Russia, the United Kingdom, China, France, and the United States—who hold veto power over any significant proposals, alongside ten non-permanent members elected for two-year terms by the General Assembly.
India last served as a non-permanent member from 2021-22, and the call for increasing the number of permanent members continues to grow in response to evolving global dynamics.
Macron’s Recommendations
During his address, Macron called for reforms in the functioning of the Security Council, including limiting veto powers in cases of collective crimes and placing greater focus on necessary operational decisions for maintaining peace. He remarked, “It’s time to achieve efficiency for better operations on the ground.”
Macron’s comments came shortly after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted the need for institutional reforms to promote global peace and development during his address at the “Future Summit.” Modi emphasized that relevance is key to these reforms.
UN Secretary-General’s Warning
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also addressed the summit, cautioning the existing 15-member Security Council. He described the council as “outdated” and warned that its authority is diminishing. Guterres stressed the necessity for restructuring and reforming its workings to maintain credibility, stating, “We cannot build a future for our grandchildren with a system created for our grandparents.”
The discussions surrounding UNSC reform reflect a growing consensus on the need for change to address modern challenges effectively and ensure a balanced representation in global governance.
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