Bhutan’s Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay has voiced strong support for India to secure a permanent seat at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), citing the country’s significant economic growth and its leadership of the Global South.
Addressing the General Debate of the 79th session of the UN General Assembly on Friday, Tobgay called for reform in the UN, particularly within the UNSC, stating that the current structure is outdated and does not reflect the realities of today’s geopolitical and economic landscape.
“The United Nations must evolve to meet the realities of today's world. The Security Council, as it stands, is a relic of the past. We need a Council that reflects the current geopolitical, economic landscape, and social realities,” Tobgay said.
Bhutan has long advocated for reforms in the 15-member UNSC to make it more representative and effective, Tobgay noted, reiterating his country’s support for India’s claim to a permanent seat at the UNSC.
“For this, India with its significant economic growth, population, and leadership of the Global South deserves a permanent seat at the Security Council,” Tobgay stated.
He also voiced his support for Japan, describing it as “a leading donor and peacebuilder,” to join as a permanent member of the UNSC.
Support from global powers
During the high-level week at the UN, several member states, including permanent members France, the UK, and the US, have explicitly backed India’s bid for a permanent seat on the UNSC, reinforcing a growing consensus for reform.
Tobgay’s remarks come at a time when global powers and developing nations alike are calling for a restructured UNSC that better reflects the shifts in global power dynamics.
Gratitude to India for Bhutan’s development
In his speech, Tobgay also expressed deep gratitude to India for its unwavering support during Bhutan’s journey of graduating from the Least Developed Countries (LDC) category in December 2022, 52 years after joining the United Nations.
“Our deepest thanks go to India, our closest friend and neighbour. They have been with us from the very beginning of our development journey and have remained steadfast in their support and friendship,” Tobgay said.
He noted that Bhutan’s success in graduating from the LDC category was a result of hard work, perseverance, and the support of many international friends and partners.
Tobgay extended his gratitude to the United Nations, its specialised agencies, and development partners such as Japan, the European Union, the World Bank, and the Asian Development Bank for their support in Bhutan’s journey.
A call to action for LDC nations
While celebrating Bhutan’s success, Tobgay also raised concerns about the slow progress in lifting other countries from the LDC category.
He pointed out that only seven nations have graduated from LDC status in the past 50 years, while 46 countries remain in need.
“This is unacceptable. The international community must intensify its efforts to ensure that no nation is left behind and that all LDC countries achieve graduation,” he said.
To achieve this, Tobgay called for a renewed focus on addressing poverty, inequality, and vulnerability with urgency, pointing to the recently adopted Pact for the Future as a roadmap for transforming the lives of the world's most vulnerable.
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