In a major diplomatic development, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has voiced his support for India’s bid to become a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). Starmer made this statement during his address at the general debate of the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Thursday.
His endorsement comes on the heels of similar declarations by US President Joe Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron, emphasizing the need for reforms in the UNSC.
Starmer highlighted the importance of reshaping the Security Council to reflect current global realities, calling it necessary for the UNSC to become a “more representative body.”
“We want to see permanent African representation on the Council, Brazil, India, Japan, and Germany as permanent members, and more seats for elected members as well,” he said.
Push for Reform Gathers Momentum
The UNSC currently has five permanent members — Russia, the UK, China, France, and the United States — each wielding veto power over substantial resolutions. In addition, 10 non-permanent members are elected for two-year terms by the United Nations General Assembly.
Prime Minister Starmer’s comments follow those made by French President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday, where Macron reiterated his call for India, along with Germany, Japan, and Brazil, to have permanent seats on the council. He also advocated for two permanent seats for African nations.
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“As long as we have a Security Council that is blocked, I would say, reciprocally according to the interests of each party, we will have difficulty moving forward. So let’s just make these United Nations more effective, first by perhaps making them more representative. That is why France, and I repeat here, is in favor of the Security Council being expanded,” Macron stated during his address to the UN General Assembly.
In a social media post, the French Embassy in India reaffirmed Macron’s position, sharing a clip of his speech and emphasizing France’s call for UNSC reform that includes a permanent seat for India.
US Endorsement Solidifies Global Support
Adding to the growing support, US President Joe Biden also endorsed India’s bid during his discussions with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Biden’s residence in Wilmington, Delaware, last week. Biden expressed the US’s commitment to reforming global institutions and recognizing India’s key role on the world stage.
“During his talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi… Mr. Biden said that the US supports initiatives to reform global institutions to reflect India’s important voice, including permanent membership for New Delhi in a reformed UN Security Council,” a statement from the White House read.
India, which last held a non-permanent seat on the Security Council in 2021-2022, has long advocated for reforms, arguing that the current structure, established in 1945, does not reflect the realities of the 21st century.
UN Secretary-General Warns of Eroding Authority
As global leaders push for UNSC reform, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also weighed in, warning that the current setup of the Council is becoming increasingly outdated and risks losing its credibility if changes are not implemented.
At the ‘Summit of the Future’ on Sunday, Guterres described the Security Council as “outdated,” stating that its authority is eroding and that it will eventually lose all legitimacy unless its composition and working methods are modernized.
With endorsements from leaders of major global powers like the US, France, and the UK, India’s bid for a permanent seat on the UNSC is gaining significant momentum. As discussions around global governance reform intensify, many will be watching closely to see if these calls for change lead to a restructured and more inclusive United Nations.
