India calls for decisive and transparent reform of UN Security Council

India’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, Yojna Patel, has called for a decisive and transparent approach to reforming the UN Security Council. Speaking at a recent UN forum, Patel emphasized the need for text-based negotiations to effectively address the ongoing challenges facing the UNSC.

While expressing appreciation for the efforts of the co-chairs of the Intergovernmental Negotiations (IGN) process, particularly initiatives like the digital repository and webcasting designed to enhance discussions, Patel pointed out that progress remains insufficient. She said that despite these initiatives, advancements have not met expectations, given the urgency of the situation.

Central to India’s stance is the immediate need for text-based negotiations within the IGN framework. Patel said that, unlike other multilateral processes, discussions on UNSC reform have yet to adopt text-based negotiations a practice essential for substantive advancement. She warned that this delay is increasingly problematic as global challenges continue to test the Council’s effectiveness.

Patel also critiqued the Elements Paper, a document summarizing input on UNSC reforms. She pointed out its flaws, including contradictory references and a lack of consensus on various points. For example, a mention of cross-regional groupings in the Convergences section was included despite the absence of consensus, which Patel described as misleading and counterproductive.

Moreover, Patel addressed concerns regarding the upcoming Summit of the Future (SoTF) and its reliance on consensus for finalizing the “Pact for the Future.” She argued that the current draft input from the IGN Co-Chairs does not reflect the broad agreement of member states, potentially undermining the legitimacy of the final document.

India urged a shift towards a more constructive and timely approach to UNSC reform. Patel called for a clear roadmap and adherence to the General Assembly’s rules of procedure to uphold the credibility of the IGN process. She cautioned that without meaningful progress and a commitment to text-based negotiations, the reform process risks becoming an exercise in futility.