India Calls for Equal Veto Rights and Comprehensive UN Security Council Reforms

New York: India has renewed its demand for comprehensive reforms of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), calling for equal veto rights for permanent members, including any newly admitted members, and greater accountability in the exercise of existing veto powers.

India's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Parvathaneni Harish, emphasised that discussions surrounding veto powers must be addressed alongside broader structural reforms, including membership categories, regional representation, Council size and working procedures.

Harish stated that the veto should not become an instrument of narrow political interests, stressing that its exercise carries significant responsibility, particularly in matters concerning international peace and security.

Currently, veto authority is restricted to the five permanent members of the Security Council: the United States, United Kingdom, France, Russia and China. These countries can block substantive resolutions regardless of the level of support from other Council members.

Highlighting concerns over the disproportionate exercise of veto powers, the Indian diplomat pointed out that the veto has reportedly been used 331 times across approximately 200 resolutions since the establishment of the United Nations.

He further observed that two permanent members have not exercised their veto powers for more than three decades, while most vetoes and threats have originated from the remaining three countries.

India maintains that meaningful Security Council reform must address longstanding inequalities in representation and decision-making authority.

New Delhi has consistently advocated expanding permanent and non-permanent membership to reflect contemporary geopolitical realities, particularly the growing importance of developing nations.

The renewed demand highlights India's continuing efforts to promote a more representative, transparent and accountable international security framework.

India's position reinforces its longstanding argument that institutional reform is essential for strengthening the United Nations' credibility and effectiveness in addressing global security challenges.