External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met with foreign ministers from the G4 nations, reaffirming their shared commitment to pushing for reforms in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). The meeting took place on the sidelines of the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, where Jaishankar engaged with his counterparts from Brazil, Germany, and Japan.
The G4 grouping, which includes India, Brazil, Germany, and Japan, is focused on advocating for changes to the UNSC, especially regarding expanding its permanent membership.
They have been united in their demand for a more inclusive Security Council that better represents the global realities of the 21st century. In the current structure, the UNSC is often criticised for its inability to address contemporary geopolitical challenges effectively, particularly due to divisions among its members on conflicts such as the war in Ukraine and the Israel-Hamas conflict.
During the meeting, Jaishankar expressed satisfaction with the discussions, emphasising the importance of reforming the Security Council through text-based negotiations. This process is considered crucial to achieving lasting reform that reflects the present-day geopolitical landscape.
The G4 nations have supported each other’s bids for permanent membership in the UNSC for several years. India, in particular, has been vocal about the need for change, arguing that the existing structure, created in 1945, no longer reflects the current global order. The polarisation within the Council has led to an inability to resolve significant issues of international peace and security, highlighting the urgent need for reforms.
Jaishankar’s engagements were not limited to the G4 meeting. On the same day, he met with his Venezuelan counterpart, Yvan Gil. The two discussed cooperation in areas such as energy, health, and economic development.
Jaishankar also highlighted the importance of reformed multilateralism during these discussions, tying it back to India’s larger objective of ensuring that global institutions, including the United Nations, adapt to modern challenges.
India’s push for reforms in the United Nations has been a long-standing diplomatic goal. As one of the largest and most populous nations in the world, with a growing global presence, India seeks a greater role in international decision-making processes, including in the UNSC.
The call for reforms, supported by the G4 nations, continues to gain traction, as more countries acknowledge the need for a UNSC that better reflects today’s political and economic realities.
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