Global Realities: India on Monday renewed its call for sweeping reforms of the United Nations Security Council, arguing that the body’s current structure no longer reflects present-day geopolitical conditions. Speaking during an open debate at the UN focused on strengthening the international rule of law, India said meaningful multilateralism can only survive if global institutions evolve alongside changing political and economic realities.

Call for Updating Global Governance Structures

Addressing the Security Council, India’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Harish Parvathaneni, said confidence in multilateral institutions depends on their ability to adapt. He noted that global governance mechanisms, particularly the Security Council, remain anchored in power arrangements shaped decades ago, despite significant transformations in world affairs.

According to him, maintaining credibility requires institutions to remain responsive to new global challenges, shifting demographics, and altered power dynamics. Without such adjustments, multilateral frameworks risk losing relevance and public trust.

Rule of Law Central to Peace and Security

The Indian envoy underscored that the rule of law forms the foundation of the Security Council’s core responsibility: maintaining international peace and security. He said legal principles are essential for resolving conflicts and building trust among nations, but stressed that their value lies in effective implementation rather than abstract interpretation.

He pointed out that the rule of law should function as a practical tool that supports stability and cooperation, rather than remaining confined to legal theory or diplomatic rhetoric.

Strain on Multilateralism and Institutional Effectiveness

Ambassador Parvathaneni observed that multilateralism, despite its universal membership, is under increasing pressure. He cited persistent budgetary constraints and an inability to respond decisively to ongoing conflicts as serious weaknesses within the UN system.

These shortcomings, he warned, have contributed to a growing perception that the organization is struggling to fulfil its primary mandate. If left unaddressed, such perceptions could further erode confidence in multilateral institutions and encourage fragmented approaches to global cooperation.

Need for Enforceable and Practical Solutions

Emphasising outcomes over theory, the Indian representative argued that international law must be enforceable to remain meaningful. He called for a move away from overly complex legal constructs toward solutions that deliver measurable benefits for people affected by conflict and instability.

In his view, legal frameworks should translate into concrete actions that improve safety, justice, and daily life, reinforcing the credibility of international institutions among member states and citizens alike.

Reforming the Security Council’s Composition

Reiterating India’s long-standing position, Ambassador Parvathaneni said reform of the Security Council must include expansion of both permanent and non-permanent membership categories. Such changes, he argued, would improve the body’s legitimacy, representation, and effectiveness.

He noted that the current composition reflects geopolitical conditions of a past era and does not adequately represent today’s global realities. With profound shifts in power structures and emerging challenges over the past eight decades, he described comprehensive reform as both urgent and necessary.

Coordination, Resources, and Respect for Sovereignty

Beyond structural reform, India called for stronger coordination among the UN’s principal organs to advance the rule of law. The envoy advocated for predictable funding, capacity-building initiatives, and technical assistance that accounts for local conditions and needs.

At the same time, he cautioned against the selective or politicised use of international law. He warned that legal principles should not be used as tools to interfere in the internal affairs of sovereign states or challenge their territorial integrity, noting that such practices could weaken trust and encourage alternative global arrangements.

Consistency and Objectivity as Closing Message

In his concluding remarks, Ambassador Parvathaneni stressed that for the United Nations to remain authoritative in a rapidly changing world, the application of international law must be consistent, objective, and free from double standards.

He said predictability and fairness are essential if the UN is to retain its central role in promoting peace, justice, and cooperation among nations in the years ahead.