The US has reiterated its backing for United Nations reforms, including restructuring the Security Council, as stated by US State Department Principal Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel in a Wednesday press briefing.
In response to Tesla CEO Elon Musk’s recent remarks on India’s absence from the UNSC’s permanent membership, Patel remarked, “The President and the Secretary have both emphasized this issue in their addresses to the UN General Assembly.
We firmly support UN reforms, including those concerning the Security Council, to better align with the realities of the 21st century.
While specific steps are yet to be outlined, we recognize the imperative for change. However, I’ll refrain from providing further details at this time.”
Musk had earlier criticized India’s exclusion from the UNSC, branding it “absurd” in January and pointing out the reluctance of dominant nations to relinquish their power.
In a recent post on X, Musk highlighted the need for a reform of UN bodies, stating, “At some point, there needs to be a revision of the UN bodies. The problem is that those with excess power don’t want to give it up.
India not having a permanent seat on the Security Council, despite being the most populous country on Earth, is absurd. Africa collectively should also have a permanent seat in.”
Advancing India’s Quest for a Seat at the UN Security Council
India’s longstanding aspiration for a permanent seat on the Security Council has garnered increasing support from the global community.
The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) consists of 15 member states, with five permanent members wielding veto power and ten non-permanent members serving two-year terms.
The permanent members, comprising China, the United Kingdom, France, Russia, and the United States, hold significant influence in global affairs.
Non-permanent members are elected by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) for two-year terms, contributing to the council’s diverse representation and decision-making process.
BJP Manifesto Pledges Permanent UN Security Council Membership
Amidst the onset of the Lok Sabha elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) revealed its electoral promise in the ‘Sankalp Patra’ manifesto, emphasizing the pursuit of permanent membership for India in the United Nations Security Council.
Released on April 14, the BJP manifesto articulated, “We are committed to seeking permanent membership in the UN Security Council to elevate Bharat’s position in global decision-making.”
Earlier this year, in January, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar underscored the mounting international backing for India’s bid for a permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council.
Jaishankar remarked on the necessity of seizing opportunities, stating, “With each passing year, the feeling in the world is that India should be there, and I can feel that support…The world does not give things easily and generously; sometimes you have to take them.”
These statements were made during the ‘Manthan’: Townhall meeting held in Maharashtra’s Nagpur.
