French President Emmanuel Macron has thrown his weight behind India’s bid for a permanent seat in a reformed United Nations Security Council (UNSC), urging for an expansion of the global body to reflect the geopolitical realities of the 21st century.
Speaking at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York on Wednesday, Macron said, "We have a Security Council that is blocked... Let’s make the UN more efficient. We have to make it more representative."
Advocating for an overhaul of the UNSC, Macron highlighted the necessity of expanding the permanent membership to include Germany, Japan, India, and Brazil.
He also stressed the importance of adding two permanent members to represent the African continent, decided by African countries themselves.
Macron’s support comes amid India’s sustained push for reforming the UNSC, a stance it has championed for years.
India argues that the current structure—established in 1945—no longer reflects contemporary geopolitical realities and must evolve to remain relevant.
India has long asserted that it deserves a permanent seat at the UNSC, particularly as it plays an increasingly significant role on the world stage.
The 15-member body currently consists of five permanent members with veto power: Russia, the UK, the United States, China, and France.
The remaining ten seats are held by non-permanent members elected for two-year terms. India last held a non-permanent seat in 2021-2022.
Macron also called for broader reforms within the UNSC’s working methods, including limiting the use of the veto in cases of mass crimes and ensuring the council can act more swiftly to maintain peace.
"The time has come to regain efficiency in order to act better on the ground," he said.
His remarks came just days after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the 'Summit of the Future', emphasising that reforms in global institutions are key to achieving peace and development.
"Reform is the key to relevance," Modi noted, echoing similar sentiments regarding the outdated structure of global bodies.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also warned that the UNSC risks losing credibility unless its composition and procedures are modernised.
"We can’t build a future for our grandchildren with a system built for our grandparents," Guterres cautioned, underscoring the urgency for reform.
Follow us
