India backs African model, pushes for ‘real reform’ of UNSC
The UNSC’s provisional rules, it argued, can be adapted to accommodate additional members
India on Tuesday threw its weight behind the African model for reform of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), asserting that the proposal clears the way for “concrete steps” towards long-pending restructuring of the global body and underlining that expansion in both permanent and non-permanent categories is essential for meaningful change.
Speaking at the Intergovernmental Negotiations (IGN) on Security Council reforms in New York, Secretary (West) Sibi George said the African model addresses the “historical injustice” faced by the continent while offering a comprehensive roadmap for reform across all key negotiating clusters.
George emphasised that the call for greater representation of the Global South — particularly in the permanent category — was “loud and clear”, arguing that the current composition of the Council no longer reflects contemporary geopolitical realities.
“The Global South needs a more active role, especially on issues that directly affect them,” he said, stressing that this cannot be achieved without expansion in both categories of membership.
Backing the proposal for a 26-member Council, India said concerns over working methods should not be used as an impediment. The UNSC’s provisional rules, it argued, can be adapted to accommodate additional members.
India also welcomed provisions in the African model aimed at strengthening the role of Troop Contributing Countries (TCCs), calling for their greater involvement in drafting and implementing peacekeeping mandates. It cautioned against the use of the Council for advancing narrow national political agendas, including in sanctions regimes.
On the contentious veto question, India endorsed the African position that rejects any “sub-category” within permanent membership. “An all-or-none approach must apply,” George said, maintaining that new permanent members must enjoy the same rights and responsibilities as existing ones.
In a broader push, India stressed closer coordination between the UNSC and UN General Assembly, and warned that reforms limited to non-permanent expansion would fall short. “More representativeness translates into more democracy,” George said, adding that only a balanced expansion can correct structural inequities and improve outcomes on global peace and security.
