Fri Apr 18 20:34:00 UTC 2025: **India’s UN Security Council Bid Gains Momentum Amidst Reform Talks**

**United Nations, April 19, 2025** – The ongoing negotiations to reform the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) are gaining traction, with India emerging as a strong contender for a permanent seat. The Chair of the Intergovernmental Negotiations (IGN) on UNSC reforms, Ambassador Tareq AlBanai of Kuwait, stated that if the Council expands, as proposed, from 21 to 27 members, India would certainly be a leading candidate.

Ambassador AlBanai highlighted the importance of representative expansion, acknowledging India’s significant global role. He noted that while the process is complex, steady progress is being made. The reformed council, he emphasized, must be designed for enduring effectiveness, incorporating principles of inclusivity, transparency, and accountability. While the exact size of the expanded council remains undecided, negotiations are focusing on the range of 21 to 27 members.

The IGN process is grappling with five key areas: membership categories, the veto power, regional representation, the size of the expanded council, and its working methods and relationship with the General Assembly. Although disagreements persist, Ambassador AlBanai expressed optimism, citing growing consensus among member states. He confirmed that text-based negotiations are the ultimate goal, acknowledging India’s consistent support for this approach.

India, along with Brazil, Germany, and Japan (the G4 nations), has actively pushed for UNSC expansion, advocating for an increase to 25 or 26 members, including 11 permanent seats. India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador P. Harish, recently reiterated the need for a review of the current UN architecture, arguing that it reflects an outdated geopolitical reality. India’s last tenure as a non-permanent UNSC member was in 2021-22.

Ambassador AlBanai, while positive about the ongoing momentum, refrained from predicting a timeframe for the reforms, stating that the process requires both courage and creativity. He stressed the collective effort towards a more effective United Nations, with Security Council reform being an integral part of this broader goal.

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