New UNSC permanent members without veto would be 'second-class': India

Business Standard · 27/10/2026, 3:38:53 am

India has asserted that any reform of the UN Security Council that creates a new category of permanent members without veto powers would effectively relegate them to "second-class" status, leaving the existing five permanent powers in control of the decision-making process. China, France, Russia, the UK and the US are the five permanent members of the 15-nation Security Council and enjoy veto powers. The Council also has 10 non-permanent members elected for two-year terms. India's Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Harish Parvathaneni, on Monday said the veto must be held by all permanent members of a reformed Council as long as the provision exists, stressing that fairness and justice demand equal rights and responsibilities for all permanent members. "India's position on the veto is principled and well known... We reiterate that as long as the veto exists, it must be held by all permanent members of a reformed Council," he said. Addressing the Inter-Governmental (IGN)