India never thought UNSC reform would be an easy process, but it cannot be denied forever: EAM Jaishankar

India is prepared to take up greater responsibilities, EAM S Jaishankar had said in his address to the General Debate of the 77th session of the UN General Assembly last week.

TN National Desk

Updated Sep 29, 2022, 13:27 IST

File image of EAM S Jaishankar

Photo : IANS

Washington: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday said India acknowledges the fact that revamping of the United Nations Security Council is not an easy process but added that the need to reform the top world body cannot be denied forever.

The EAM stressed that India rightly deserves a seat on the UNSC chair and added that the country has been among the leading players making efforts for years to reform the Security Council.

At present, the UN Security Council has five permanent members – the US, the UK, France, Russia and China. Only permanent members have the authority to veto any substantive resolution.

India, at present, is a non-permanent member of the 15-member UNSC and its two-year term ends in December this year. India is set to preside over the Security Council in December.

"We have, we have never thought that it was an easy process. But we do believe that the need for reform cannot be denied forever,” Jaishankar told Indian journalists here yesterday.

"My understanding is that the position that President (Joe) Biden put forward, is the most explicit and specific articulation of the US support for reform of the UN, including the Security Council," he stated, while wrapping up his long visit to the US.

"So, I don't think it's a reiteration of something, I don't think in that sense, it's kind of business as usual. Now, how this advances, where it goes, I think, depends on all of us: the members of the UN, and where we take it,” Jaishankar said further.

"It is not the responsibility of a single country, however powerful. I think it's a collective effort that the members of the UN have to make. We have been pressing the reform effort, including through the Intergovernmental Negotiations (IGN). And you also know where the reluctance comes from and let's stay focused on it,” he added.

Last week, the Indian minister had stated that the much-needed reform of the USNC should not be handicapped by procedural tactics and added naysayers cannot hold the process "hostage in perpetuity".

"India is prepared to take up greater responsibilities. But it seeks at the same time to ensure that the injustice faced by the Global South is decisively addressed," Jaishankar said in his address to the General Debate of the 77th session of the UN General Assembly.

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