It argued that any future reform that again avoids expansion in the permanent category would deepen structural inequalities.

India Says UN Security Council Reform Must Include Veto Expansion to Fix Global Imbalance

India on Tuesday said that any reform of the United Nations Security Council that excludes expansion of permanent members with veto powers would fail to correct existing imbalances in the body.

Speaking at the Inter-Governmental Negotiations on Security Council reforms, India’s Permanent Representative Ambassador Parvathaneni Harish underlined that both membership structure and veto distribution remain at the core of the Council’s lack of balance.

He stressed that the current framework, shaped more than 80 years ago, does not reflect contemporary geopolitical realities, making reforms essential to improve the Council’s credibility and representativeness.

India also warned against the creation of a new category of membership, with or without veto powers, saying such proposals could further complicate the already prolonged reform process.

Referring to past changes, India noted that earlier expansion limited to non-permanent members had the unintended effect of increasing the relative influence of existing permanent members with veto powers.

It argued that any future reform that again avoids expansion in the permanent category would deepen structural inequalities within the Council.

India reiterated that comprehensive reform must include expansion in both permanent and non-permanent categories to better reflect present-day global realities.

New Delhi has long pushed for a more representative and democratic Security Council, maintaining that it deserves a permanent seat in line with its growing global role.