Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer has become the latest leader to back India’s bid for a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) in order to make it a more representative body that is not “paralysed by politics”.
In his address to the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, Starmer advocated for reforms aimed at making the global multilateral system “more representative and more responsive”. In addition to advocating for permanent representation for India, Africa, Brazil, Japan, and Germany, the UK also called for an increase in seats for elected members of the Security Council.
“We need to make the system more representative and more responsive to those who need it most,” Starmer said. Delivering his first address to the UN General Assembly as UK Prime Minister following the July general elections, the Labour Party leader outlined a shift in Britain’s approach.
“To support this we will also change how the UK does things. Moving 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,” he added.
Previously, French President Emmanuel Macron had backed India’s permanent membership to make the UN more efficient and representative.
“France is in favour of the Security Council being expanded. Germany, Japan, India, and Brazil should be permanent members, as well as two countries that Africa will decide to represent it,” he had said.
Similarly, US President Joe Biden had reiterated the country’s stance for such an expansion of the UNSC.
The five permanent members are Russia, the UK, China, France, and the United States, which have the power to veto any substantive UN resolution.
(With PTI inputs)