Lok Sabha Question No. 927 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-07-22
Subject: Reforms of UN Security Council
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: P. Velusamy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.927 TO BE ANSWERED ON 22.07.2022

## REFORMS OF UN SECURITY COUNCIL

## 927. SHRI VELUSAMY P.:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) the steps taken by the Government to seek reforms of UN Security Council when four of the five United Nations Security Council (UNSC) permanent members namely UK, USA, Russia and France openly supported India's bid to enter the elite club;
- (b) whether Beijing did not have a policy to oppose India's candidature for a permanent seat in the UNSC;
- (c) if so, whether the Government is seeking the support of China to secure the coveted UNSC permanent post for India;
- (d) whether India has approached friendly countries or floated a group to seek changes in the constitution of UNSC which will pave the way for India's entry into UNSC; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## [SHRI V. MURALEEDHARAN]

(a) to (e) Four out of the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) have bilaterally expressed official affirmations of support for India's candidature to a permanent seat in an expanded UN Security Council.

India has been consistently taking up the issue of UNSC reforms with China. In February 2021, following India-China consultations on UNSC, responding to a question on India's candidature for permanent membership of the UNSC, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson responded that 'China supports UNSC reforms in a manner that increases the authority and efficacy of the UNSC, increase the representation and voice of developing countries so that the small and medium sized countries have a greater opportunity to participate in the decision making of the UNSC. It should be done through the widest possible democratic consultation and seek a package solution that takes into account the interest and concerns of all parties.'

The process of UNSC Reforms is being presently discussed under the Inter-Governmental   Negotiation   (IGN)   framework   of   the   UN   General

Assembly,   where   India   along   with   like-minded   countries   have   been pushing for text-based negotiations to commence on an urgent basis. India is also working alongside other reform-oriented countries through its membership in G-4 (India, Japan, Brazil and Germany) and the L.69 Group (a cross regional group of countries from Asia, Africa and Latin America) for building support among the UN Member States for expansion in both permanent and non permanent categories.

Government of India (GOI) has accorded the highest priority to getting permanent membership for India in an expanded United Nations Security Council. T owards this end, GOI has undertaken various initiatives aimed   at   building   international   support   for   India.   The   matter   is consistently taken up during bilateral and multilateral meetings at all levels, including at the highest levels.

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