India Demands UN Security Council Reform and Terror Listing Transparency

The Government of India demanded greater transparency and objectivity in the United Nations Security Council's process for listing and delisting terrorist organizations during an open debate on working methods in New York. Yojna Patel, Charge d'Affaires at India's Permanent Mission to the UN, warned that Council membership must not be used to legitimize terrorists or pursue narrow political interests. Patel specifically criticized the opaque functioning of the 1267 Al-Qaida Sanctions Committee, noting that China has previously blocked proposals to designate Pakistan-based terrorists.

India highlighted an eight-month leadership deadlock in counterterrorism subsidiary panels, attributing the stalemate to disagreements over Pakistan's bid to lead sanctions committees. Patel urged the Council to establish a definitive and non-negotiable timeline to fill these vacancies. This position was supported by Japan's Deputy Permanent Representative, Mikanagi Tomohiro, and Denmark, the current Council president, who agreed that such delays undermine the body's effectiveness.

Beyond counterterrorism, India advocated for comprehensive structural reform to expand both permanent and non-permanent membership, describing the current composition as anachronistic. India further called for text-based negotiations for these reforms and urged for the inclusion of troop-contributing nations in peacekeeping decision-making and a greater role for non-permanent members in selecting the UN Secretary-General.