India for "genuine reform" in the UN Security Council

United Nations, Sept 2 (PTI) Describing the "genuine
reform" in the UN Security Council as essential, India has
strongly favoured the G4 proposal of expanding the prestigious
body by including six new Permanent Members having veto powers
and four additional non-permanent members.

"We remain convinced that this is the optimum
expansion that meets both the tests of representativeness and
manageability," the Indian Ambassador to the UN, Hardeep Singh
Puri, said in his address to the informal meeting of the
UN General Assembly on start of the third round of
inter-governmental negotiations on Security Council reforms.

G-4 comprising of India, Brazil, Japan and Germany had
made such a proposal in 2005. "New permanent members would
have the same rights and responsibilities as existing
permanent members, including that of the veto. Nevertheless,
recognising the complexity of the issue, the G-4 proposal
offered to defer its utilisation until a review is
undertaken," he said.

"Looking back at the first two rounds, two messages
emerged loud and clear: first, that an overwhelming majority
of member states believe that the status quo is untenable, in
response to which genuine reform of the UN Security Council is
essential," Puri added.

"Second, substantive reform requires an expansion in
both permanent and non-permanent categories of membership, and
significant improvement of the Security Council’s working
methods," Puri said.

Making a strong case for the expansion of the Security
Council, Puri said only an expansion of the membership of the
UNSC in permanent and non-permanent categories will be
credible, effective and genuine. "Only such measures will meet
the aspirations of the membership at large," he argued. PTI
LKJ