United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has once again called for reform of the Security Council, describing it as not merely “important” but “essential” in the face of changing global realities.
“Reforming the Security Council is not just important – it is essential. Those who try to cling to privileges today risk paying the price tomorrow. We must all be bold enough to change. The world is not waiting. Neither should we,” Guterres said in a post on X.
The UN Security Council currently has five permanent members — the United States, China, France, Russia and the United Kingdom — all of whom hold veto power over substantive resolutions. In addition, the body includes ten non-permanent members elected for two-year terms.
What it means for India
India is not a permanent member of the Security Council, but has long pushed for reforms that would expand the body and better reflect present-day geopolitical realities. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has said that securing a permanent seat remains one of India’s highest foreign policy priorities.
“India strongly believes that it has all the credentials to be a permanent member of a reformed and expanded UNSC that reflects contemporary global realities,” Jaishankar told Parliament in 2024.
UN officials have also acknowledged India’s role within the organisation. Both Guterres and UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric have previously highlighted India’s contributions, describing it as a key supporter of multilateralism and an influential voice within the UN system.
“India is a very important part of the UN system. They are a great supporter of multilateralism. The Secretary-General has very good relations with the Indian government,” Dujarric said last year.
Several major powers, including Russia, the United States, France and the United Kingdom, have publicly backed India’s bid for a permanent seat in a reformed Security Council.
India last served as a non-permanent member of the UNSC from 2021 to 2022 and has since continued to advocate reforms aimed at making the council more representative and effective.
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