India Insists All Permanent Members Must Retain Veto in UNSC Reform – No ‘Second‑Class’ Seats

Overview On 26 October 2026 , India’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Harish Parvathaneni , reiterated that any reform of the UN Security Council (UNSC) must keep the veto with all permanent members. He warned that creating a new class of permanent seats without veto would make those members “second‑class” and would not change the dominance of the existing five. Key Developments India demands that any expanded UNSC retain the veto for all permanent members. Introducing a new category of long‑term members without veto is seen as “entrenching inequity”. Parvathaneni highlighted the contradiction between “permanency” and “periodic elections”. India seeks both more permanent and non‑permanent seats, and is contesting a non‑permanent seat for the 2028‑29 term. He called for early text‑based negotiations with clear timelines. Important Facts The UNSC currently comprises five permanent members (P5) and ten non‑permanent members . The only past expansion, in 1965, increased non‑permanent seats from six to ten, leaving the P5 unchanged and strengthening their relative power. India has served on the Council eight times, most recently in 2021‑22 . It argues that the UNSC, created in 1945, no longer reflects 21st‑century geopolitics. Parvathaneni warned that the veto should be used with “great restraint” and not as a tool of narrow political expediency. He also pointed out the existence of a de facto veto in UNSC working methods, such as in sanctions committees and the consensus‑driven IGN process. UPSC Relevance Understanding UNSC reform touches on several UPSC syllabus areas: GS2 – International Relations (UN structure, veto politics, reform debates), GS1 – History (post‑World War II institutions), and GS4 – Ethics (principles of fairness and collective security). The debate illustrates how power dynamics and institutional inertia affect global governance. Way Forward India proposes a comprehensive approach: start IGN with a draft text, set clear milestones, and address not only the veto but also membership size, regional representation, and working methods. Only a re‑structured Council that reflects contemporary realities can regain credibility and effectiveness.