India's Perspective at the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly: New Initiatives Towards Global Reforms

India's External Affairs Minister, addressing the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, delivered a clear message that India is no longer merely demanding reforms but is also ready to play a leading role in implementing them. In his concise and powerful speech, he stated that it is imperative to adapt the United Nations to the 21st century to address the complex challenges facing the world.

What is the Need for UN Reforms?

¨     Gridlock in Decision-Making: The UN often faces paralysis in decision-making due to conflicts, limited resources, and terrorism.The veto power held by the five permanent members (P5) allows a single nation to block resolutions, even if the majority supports them, as seen with Russia in Ukraine and the US on Israel-related resolutions.

¨     Outdated and Unrepresentative: The UN Security Council reflects the geopolitical realities of 1945, not the 21st century. Rising powers like India, Brazil, Germany, and Japan lack permanent membership, while the Global South remains underrepresented, limiting the UN’s legitimacy.The UN has struggled to prevent or resolve large-scale conflicts due to internal divisions and weak peacekeeping mandates.  Historical failures in Bosnia and Rwanda, and inaction in Syria, Sudan, and Myanmar highlight systemic shortcomings.

¨     Financial Dependence: Heavy reliance on a few major donors, especially the US, creates leverage for influencing UN policies and operations, compromising impartiality and global trust.

¨     Administrative Issues: The UN’s sprawling bureaucracy slows responses to crises and suffers from corruption, misuse of funds, and misconduct. For instance, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) reported 434 new investigations, including procurement fraud and sexual misconduct, undermining credibility.

¨     Erosion of Sovereignty: Some nations perceive the UN as a threat to sovereignty, arguing that resolutions on climate change, human rights, or immigration can override national interests.This criticism challenges the UN’s authority and global acceptance.

¨     Competing Global and Regional Institutions: The rise of organizations like the G20, BRICS, and African Union provides alternative, often more agile platforms for international cooperation, bypassing the UN and further highlighting the need for reform.

What Role Can India Play in Driving UN Reforms?

¨     Security Council Expansion: As a member of the G4 group (India, Brazil, Germany, Japan), India advocates increasing UNSC membership, with six new permanent seats for Africa, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and Western Europe.This addresses the anachronistic P5 structure and aligns representation with 21st-century geopolitics.

¨     Advocating for the Global South: India, as a leader of developing nations, can push for reforms prioritizing the interests of the Global South by highlighting key issues like sustainable development, climate justice, and equitable economic growth.

¨     Promoting Multilateralism: India can act as a voice of reason in an era of great-power competition, promoting diplomacy over conflict.  India’s neutral stance, favoring negotiation over military action, underscores its role in peaceful conflict resolution. With a legacy in UN peacekeeping, India strengthens its claim for a greater voice in UN decision-making.

¨     Strengthening Counter-Terrorism Frameworks: Having faced terrorism firsthand, India can lead efforts to strengthen the UN counter-terrorism framework, advocate for a comprehensive international convention on terrorism, and ensure accountability for states sponsoring or harboring terrorist groups. 

¨     Leveraging Historical Credibility and Contributions: India’s track record in decolonization, human rights, anti-apartheid efforts, peacekeeping, and international cooperation adds legitimacy to its leadership role in UN reforms.

¨     Showcasing Global Leadership and Soft Power: Initiatives like the International Day of Yoga, adopted with support from 177 member states, reinforce India’s capacity to build consensus and promote multilateral cooperation.

What Steps can Ensure Effective and Inclusive Reforms at the UN?

¨     Text-Based Negotiations: Move from broad “dialogue” to text-based negotiations under the Intergovernmental Negotiations (IGN) process, with clear deadlines and negotiation rounds. Prevent stalling via procedural foot‑dragging.

¨     Reform or Limit Use of Veto: Introduce binding restrictions on veto use in situations involving genocide, war crimes, or crimes against humanity.Mandate that veto exemptions require supermajority or referral to the General Assembly. Link Membership with Contributions & Burden Sharing: Reform assessment scales and privileges to ensure countries contributing significantly to UN peacekeeping, humanitarian aid, or development get proportional representation.Uphold the “capacity to pay” principle while rewarding credible contributors with greater institutional voice.

¨     Improve Accountability, Transparency & Decision-Making Efficiency: Revamp voting rules in key UN bodies to prevent procedural deadlock. Publish performance reviews, audits, and decision‑impact assessments for major programs.

¨     Institutionalize “Voice of the Global South” via New Mechanisms: Create permanent forums or caucuses in UN organs for Global South coordination, so they can negotiate as blocs. Strengthen coalition platforms like the G4 or African Union in UN decision-making.

¨     Leverage Coalitions to Build Momentum: Use forums outside the UN (G20, BRICS, NAM, IBSA) to generate consensus pressure for UN reform. Mobilise support from middle powers and small states to isolate veto-resistance. Guarantee Safeguards Against Dominance & Free Riding:  Include “clawback” or sunset clauses for new privileges if misuse or dominance is observed. Ensure reform proposals are anchored in the UN Charter so they can’t be arbitrarily reversed.

¨     Continuous Review & Adaptation Mechanisms: Establish periodic review (say every 10 years) of governance structures, with mandated adjustments. Form a permanent “UN Reform Commission” with rotating membership to propose updates in light of changing geopolitics.