June 23, 2009
India again demands expansion of UN Security Council
India has reiterated its demand for "real reform" of the UN Security Council with expansion in both permanent and non-permanent membership of the world body's top decision making organ. Noting that the overwhelming majority of member states has unambiguously sought "real reform" in two rounds of negotiations, India's Permanent Representative Hardeep Singh Puri on Monday hoped the third round of negotiations will be focused and action oriented.
In his intervention during an informal plenary meeting on the issue, he again spoke of the "inevitability of reform, and the futility of arresting the movement of history." "Let me reiterate that attempts to merely make cosmetic changes, limit our efforts to actions that we know will not succeed, or block progress altogether through procedural manoeuvrings, are doomed to fail against the inevitability of a reform that is long overdue," Mr. Puri said. "I urge those that seek to follow this unenlightened path to rise above their own self-interest and insecurities and join the overwhelming majority in the greater good for all of humanity," he added.
Predicated on the logical and principled position that there can be no discrimination within the same category of members of the Security Council, India's national position has been and remains that veto should be extended to new permanent members, Mr. Puri said.
However, taking into account concerns voiced by a large majority over the use of the veto, India had accepted that new permanent members should not exercise the right of veto until the question of the extension of the right of veto to new permanent members had been decided upon through a review, he said.
In order to improve and strengthen the relationship between the Security Council and the UN General Assembly, the Security Council must reflect contemporary realities, particularly in its permanent membership, Mr. Puri said.
"Only then can we address the problems of credibility and legitimacy of the UNSC, and ensure its accountability to the membership at large," he said. "This reflection of contemporary realities is certainly not feasible without an expansion in both the permanent and non-permanent categories, and addressing the under-representation of developing countries," Mr. Puri said.
