Starmer called for reforms to make the global multilateral system “more representative and responsive.”
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, along with the leaders of the United States and France, has supported India’s permanent membership in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to make it “a more representative body that is not paralyzed by irregularities.” Politics.
Speaking at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York on Thursday, Starmer called for reforms to make the global multilateral system “more representative and responsive.” In addition to permanent representation for India, Africa, Brazil, Japan and Germany, the UK also argued for an expansion of seats for elected members of the Security Council.
“We need to make the system more representative and more responsive to those who need it most,” Starmer said.
“So we will strive not only for fairer outcomes, but also for more equitable representation in achieving these goals, and this also applies to the Security Council. “The Council needs to change and become a more representative body that is not paralyzed by politics and can act quickly. We want Brazil, India, Japan and Germany to be permanent members, a permanent representative for Africa on the Council and also more seats for elected members,” he said.
The Labour leader, in his first address to the UN General Assembly as British prime minister since July’s general election, also outlined a change in the UK’s approach: “We will get things done; move away from the paternalism of the past and aim for partnership for the future.” Let’s listen more and talk a little less. We will bring British pioneering expertise and work together in a spirit of equal respect.”
Earlier on Wednesday, French President Emmanuel Macron also supported India’s bid for a permanent seat on the UN Security Council to make the UN more efficient and representative. “France is in favour of an expansion of the Security Council. Germany, Japan, India and Brazil should be permanent members, as well as two countries elected by Africa to represent them,” he said.
This comes after President Joe Biden reaffirmed the US position in favour of such an expansion of the UN Security Council, which comprises five permanent and 10 non-permanent members for two-year terms elected by the UN General Assembly. The five permanent members – Russia, Britain, China, France and the United States – have veto power over substantive UN resolutions.
India argues that the 15-nation Council, created in 1945, is ill-suited for the 21st century and does not reflect current geopolitical realities.
India last sat at the UN’s high table as a non-permanent member in 2021-22.