India Reiterates Call for Time-Bound UNSC Reform at UN Dialogue

 

India Reiterates Call for Time-Bound UNSC Reform at UN Dialogue

Date: July 18, 2025
Event: Third informal dialogue on Pact for the Future review

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🔹 Key Highlights:

• India’s UN Ambassador Parvathaneni Harish strongly emphasized urgent, time-bound reforms of the UN Security Council (UNSC).

• Called for greater alignment with G20, WTO, IMF, and World Bank reform agendas.

• Presented a Hindi translation of the Pact for the Future to UNGA President Philemon Yang, reflecting India’s linguistic and cultural diplomacy.

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🧭 About the Pact for the Future:

• Adopted during the UN Summit of the Future in September 2024.

• Aims to strengthen global cooperation to tackle:

  • Peace & security

  • Sustainable development

  • Climate change

  • Digital cooperation

  • Global governance

  • Rights of youth and future generations

• The 2028 review is expected to be results-oriented and forward-looking.

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🧩 India’s Stand on UNSC Reform:

• UNSC's current structure is outdated, not reflective of 21st-century geopolitical realities.

• India, as part of the G4 (India, Brazil, Germany, Japan), has long advocated for:

  • Expansion of permanent and non-permanent membership

  • Representation of developing countries and Global South

• India urges resistance against status quo powers trying to stall reform.

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🔍 Relevance to UPSC Syllabus:

GS Paper	Relevance
GS II – International Relations	- India’s foreign policy at the UN - Global governance reforms - Multilateral institutions
GS II – Polity & Constitution	- Role of international organizations - India’s representation in global decision-making
GS III – Economy	- Reform of global financial institutions (IMF, WB)
Essay Paper	- “India and the UN: In Search of Reform” - “Global Governance in a Fragmented World”

🔧 Points for Mains Answer Writing / Essay:

• ✅ UNSC reflects post-WWII power structures, not today's realities

• ✅ India contributes significantly to UN peacekeeping missions, economic growth, and digital diplomacy

• ✅ Global South voices marginalized in decision-making

• ✅ Institutional inertia and veto powers block reform

• ✅ Pact for the Future offers a framework for inclusive and reformed multilateralism

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🧭 Map-Based Context (Sketch Reference):

You can sketch a world map highlighting:

• UNSC P5 countries

• G4 nations

• Africa and Latin America (regions demanding representation)

• UN headquarters (New York)

KEY DEFINITIONS

Term	Definition
UNSC (United Nations Security Council)	One of the six principal organs of the United Nations, responsible for maintaining international peace and security. It has 15 members (5 permanent with veto + 10 non-permanent).
P5	The five permanent members of the UNSC: China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
G4 Nations	Group of four countries – India, Brazil, Germany, and Japan – seeking permanent seats in a reformed UNSC.
Pact for the Future	A UN agreement adopted at the 2024 Summit of the Future, to enhance multilateral cooperation across peace, security, development, governance, climate, and digital space.
Bretton Woods Institutions	International financial institutions established in 1944: the World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF).
Global Governance	The way international affairs are managed across nations via institutions like the UN, WTO, IMF, etc.
Global South	A term used to refer to developing countries, particularly in Asia, Africa, and Latin America.

📜 HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

🕊️ Creation of the UN & UNSC (1945)

• Founded after WWII to maintain peace and security.

• UNSC was created with 5 permanent members reflecting WWII power realities.

• India was among the founding members of the UN.

🧭 India’s Efforts for UNSC Reform:

• 1992: Formation of G4 (India, Brazil, Germany, Japan) to push for expansion.

• 2005: India officially announced candidacy for a permanent seat.

• 2015: UNGA adopted a framework text for negotiations, with India supporting an inclusive and transparent process.

• 2023: India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar voiced that reform delay is due to entrenched interests.

• 2024: Pact for the Future adopted, highlighting global governance reform.

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INDIA’S ARGUMENT FOR PERMANENT SEAT

Criteria	India’s Justification
Population	Largest democracy with 1.4+ billion people
Peacekeeping	One of the largest contributors to UN Peacekeeping
Economic	5th largest economy, growing geopolitical influence
Nuclear Power	Responsible nuclear power with No First Use policy
Global South Voice	Represents interests of developing nations

🌐 PACT FOR THE FUTURE – FEATURES

Adopted: September 2024, UN Summit of the Future

Area	Provisions
UN Reform	Emphasis on UNSC expansion, transparency, accountability
Peace & Security	Commitment to conflict prevention and disarmament
Climate Action	Strengthen commitments under Paris Agreement
Digital Cooperation	Ethical AI, cyber norms, digital inclusion
Youth & Gender	Intergenerational equity, women’s participation
Global Governance	Better alignment between UN, G20, IMF, WTO

🔍 PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS (PYQs) – UPSC

📘 GS Paper II – International Relations

1. The UN Security Council has failed to fulfill its primary responsibility of maintaining international peace and security. Suggest reforms to make it more effective. – (2020, 15 Marks)

2. Critically examine the role of India in advocating the reform of global institutions like the UN and IMF. – (2019, 15 Marks)

3. What are the key challenges to India's aspiration for permanent membership of the UNSC? – (2017, 10 Marks)

4. The growing influence of regional groupings like G20 and BRICS is reshaping global governance. Discuss India’s role in such groupings. – (2021, 15 Marks)

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📊 MAINS STRUCTURE – Model Answer Approach

Q. "Discuss the significance of the Pact for the Future in reforming global institutions like the UN Security Council and Bretton Woods institutions. Evaluate India’s role and expectations in this context." – (15 Marks)

Intro:

• Global institutions built post-WWII are no longer representative.

• The Pact for the Future (2024) marks a collective intent to reshape global governance.

Body:

✅ Significance of Pact for the Future:

• Holistic reform agenda: Security, economy, digital, and equity

• Integrates youth, sustainability, and accountability

• Calls for democratization of UN and financial institutions

✅ UNSC Reform & India's Role:

• India's contributions (peacekeeping, diplomacy, economy)

• Lack of Global South representation

• Resistance from P5 & geopolitics of veto

✅ Reform of Bretton Woods Institutions:

• Voting power imbalance

• Conditionalities hurting developing nations

• India’s role in G20 and BRICS alternatives

Conclusion:

• Reform is a moral, strategic, and democratic necessity.

• India’s proactive engagement reflects its commitment to inclusive multilateralism.

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📌 UPSC Answer Writing Tips:

• Always link current developments (e.g. Pact for the Future, India’s speeches at UN) with institutional reform.

• Mention India’s credentials: democracy, economy, peacekeeping, population, responsible power.

• Use maps to show G4, P5, and Global South countries.

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✍️ Model Mains Question (GS II – 15 marks):

"Discuss the significance of the Pact for the Future in reforming global institutions like the UN Security Council and Bretton Woods institutions. Evaluate India’s role and expectations in this context."