‘UN is stuck in 1945’, on what issue of Security Council did India express dissatisfaction?

India in United Nations Security Council: India’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Parvataneni Harish, expressed India’s dissatisfaction over the pace of progress on Security Council reform. He said that there are some countries which prefer the status quo and oppose expansion into the permanent category at any cost because they feel that their neighboring countries may get the opportunity to become members.

Harish said in a session on Tuesday (November 19), “Today’s structure of the Security Council reflects the situation of 1945. It does not reflect the realities of today.” He delivered a lecture on ‘Responding to Major Global Challenges: India’s Way’ at an event at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA).

He gave a detailed overview of ‘India’s approach’ to key global issues ranging from advanced multilateralism, terrorism, demography, India’s digital revolution to the country’s youth, climate change, democracy, healthcare and vaccines.

UN does great work in the humanitarian sector – Harish

Harish said the UN does “tremendous work” in the humanitarian sector, meeting the humanitarian needs of billions of people around the world, as well as in the development sector – through its work in children’s health, public health and labour. He works through special institutions.

“Yet for the common man, his perception, the way he sees the United Nations, is neither a humanitarian dimension, nor a development dimension, nor a public health dimension,” he said. They only see the inability of the UN to prevent conflicts in regions such as Ukraine and West Asia. This is their approach and perhaps this is the only yardstick by which they judge the efficiency of the United Nations.

UNSC Improvement should be made in- Harish

Harish said in a panel discussion after the keynote lecture that there is a consensus that the UN Security Council should be reformed. He said, “Yes, it needs improvement.” This requires expansion. However, many countries prefer the status quo. Those who are already permanent members do not want to vacate it. Those who are already permanent members do not want to give up the veto. “Those who feel that their neighbors may have the opportunity to become members will oppose the expansion of the permanent category at all costs.”

“This is how countries behave, much like people do,” said Harish, who is part of the group that is vying for a permanent seat on the Security Council for India and other G4 members Brazil, Germany and Japan. Opposes. Of the five permanent members of the Council, France, Russia, Britain and the United States have strongly supported India’s bid for permanent membership in the Security Council after its reform.

China has said Security Council reform is an important part of reforming the multilateral system of governance, but pointed to the way some countries and groups pursue their own interests when it comes to council reform. Harish has described the process as very difficult and complex.

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