India Criticises Stalled UN Security Council Reform, Calls for Text-Based Negotiations

India has strongly criticised the lack of progress in reforming the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), stating that the process cannot be held hostage by the narrow interests of a select few member states. The statement came as the UN General Assembly adopted a decision to roll over the Inter-Governmental Negotiations (IGN) on Security Council reform to its 81st session, commencing in September.

Speaking at the adoption of the oral decision on July 28, 2026, India's Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Parvathaneni Harish, noted that the IGN has undergone 17 cycles without achieving concrete results. He invoked Indian philosophy, remarking that while a soul makes incremental progress through cycles of birth and death before attaining liberation, the IGN has seen no such liberation despite 17 rounds.

Ambassador Harish expressed disappointment that member states often reiterate known positions from the comfort of New York, dashing hopes for a fit-for-purpose UN. He emphasised the urgency of comprehensive reform, given the Security Council's inability to meaningfully intervene in global conflicts. 'The need for comprehensive UN Security Council reforms cannot be more pronounced, and more urgent. It cannot be held hostage by the narrow, divisive interests of a select few Member States,' he said.

India reiterated its call for text-based negotiations with clear timelines and milestones. The country maintains that reform must include expansion in both the permanent and non-permanent categories of UNSC membership, with greater representation for the Global South. India has warned that expanding only the non-permanent category would not fundamentally alter the decision-making power structure dominated by the five permanent members.

Earlier this month, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar launched India's campaign for a non-permanent seat on the Security Council for the 2028-29 term. India will compete with Tajikistan for the sole seat in the Asia-Pacific Group category in elections scheduled for June 2027. India last served on the UNSC in 2021-22, its eighth term.

The Uniting for Consensus (UfC) group, which includes Canada, Pakistan, Türkiye, and Italy, opposes expansion of permanent seats and instead advocates for more non-permanent seats, a position India rejects.