S. Jaishankar Demands Text-Based UN Security Council Reforms

Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar called for the urgent restructuring of the United Nations Security Council during a series of ministerial meetings in New York City. Co-chairing an interaction with the L.69 group and the C-10 African coalition, Jaishankar argued that the council's failure to address global conflicts perpetuates "historical injustice" and leaves the Global South disproportionately affected by unprecedented global changes.

Jaishankar criticized the current Inter-Governmental Negotiations framework, asserting that the lack of a formal text is a tactic used by opponents of reform to gain time. He advocated for a shift toward text-based negotiations and democratic resolution through majority voting rather than unanimity, stating that those who oppose such changes are exploiting the institution. These demands align with a joint statement from the G4 Nations—India, Brazil, Germany, and Japan—which expressed concern over the lack of concrete outcomes over the last 18 years and announced plans to develop a consolidated model for expanding both permanent and non-permanent membership.

Beyond structural reform, Jaishankar chaired the India-FIPIC Foreign Ministers' Meeting, where he reviewed development partnerships with Pacific Island nations. These initiatives include the delivery of 20 sea ambulances by March 2027 and the creation of customized capacity-building training modules in India. He also characterized the push for a female UN Secretary-General as a bottom-up initiative, reflecting a broader effort to modernize the organization's leadership.