India Demands UN Security Council Reform to Reflect Modern Realities

India's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Parvathaneni Harish, told the UN General Assembly on October 23, 2026, that the organization is losing legitimacy by clinging to a Security Council structure defined by the outcome of a war from 80 years ago. Harish argued that the current system is an organization crafted "of the victors, for the victors and by the victors," and noted that India's own contributions to the 1945 victory—including 2.5 million participants and 90,000 military deaths—are often ignored.

Harish demanded the expansion of both permanent and non-permanent membership categories to address the underrepresentation of Africa, Latin America, and the Asia-Pacific region. He asserted that if the veto power remains, it must be extended to all permanent members, including new ones, to prevent the institutionalization of inequality. He further urged for increased transparency, accountability, and better representation for countries contributing troops and police.

Addressing the Intergovernmental Negotiations (IGN), Harish criticized the process for lacking a negotiating text and timeline for over 15 years, calling the delay a "perpetuation of status quo." He specifically accused the Uniting for Consensus group, led by Italy and including Pakistan, of using procedural maneuvers to stall reform. Harish maintained that a negotiating text must be a precondition to negotiations rather than the conclusion of the process.