NEW DELHI: UK prime minister Keir Starmer has added his voice to a growing chorus for India’s inclusion as a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).
“We want to see permanent African representation on the Council, Brazil, India, Japan and Germany as permanent members, and more seats for elected members as well,” Starmer said in his address to the 79th session of the UN General Assembly held in New York.
Emphasising the need for the UNSC to evolve into a more representative body that can effectively address global challenges without being hindered by political paralysis, the UK PM said: “If we want the system to deliver for the poorest and most vulnerable then their voices must be heard. We need to make the system more representative and more responsive to those who need it most. So we will make the case not just for fairer outcomes, but fairer representation in how we reach them. And this also applies to the Security Council. It has to change to become a more representative body, willing to act – not paralysed by politics.”
Promising to change how the UK does things, Starmer said: “UK will move away from the paternalism of the past towards partnership for the future. Listening a lot more – speaking a bit less. Offering game-changing British expertise and working together in a spirit of equal respect.”
A growing wave
Starmer’s strong support for India’s bid for a permanent seat on the UNSC follows similar endorsements from leaders of the United States and France.
The UK PM’s remarks align with a growing consensus among several countries advocating for reforms in the UNSC, which has remained largely unchanged since its establishment in 1945.
Currently, the UNSC consists of five permanent members — namely the United States, China, France, Russia, and the United Kingdom — who hold veto power over substantive resolutions. The council also includes ten non-permanent members elected for two-year terms.
Starmer highlighted that the inclusion of nations like India, Brazil, Japan, and Germany as permanent members would enhance the council’s legitimacy and effectiveness.
French president Emmanuel Macron had voiced similar sentiments just days prior, stating that an expanded UNSC is essential for improving its efficiency and representation. He called for permanent seats for India, Brazil, Japan, and Germany, alongside two representatives from Africa.
This push for reform has been echoed by US President Joe Biden, who also recognised India’s significant role on the global stage during recent discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
India has long argued that it deserves a permanent seat at the UNSC due to its growing geopolitical influence and contributions to global peacekeeping efforts.
India last served as a non-permanent member from 2021 to 2022 and continues to advocate for reforms that reflect contemporary geopolitical realities.
The recent endorsements from major powers like the UK, US, and France mark a significant step towards achieving this long-sought goal, as they collectively call for a reformed UNSC that better represents today’s world dynamics.
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