India Slams UN Security Council Reform Paper, Demands Text-Based Negotiations

Published 16 June 2026 · india

India Slams UN Security Council Reform Paper, Demands Text-Based Negotiations Published By, Last Updated: June 16, 2026, 12:30 IST India asserted that negotiations should be

India Slams UN Security Council Reform Paper, Demands Text-Based Negotiations Published By, Last Updated: June 16, 2026, 12:30 IST India asserted that negotiations should be conducted through a formal written text, as is the practice in other multilateral negotiations. India's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Parvathaneni Harish, called for text-based negotiations on UNSC reforms. India renewed its demand for substantive reforms of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), calling for text-based negotiations under the Intergovernmental Negotiations (IGN) framework. Speaking at a meeting of the IGN process on Security Council reforms on Monday, India’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Parvathaneni Harish, asserted that negotiations on one of the UN’s most important reform agendas should be conducted through a formal written text, as is the practice in other multilateral negotiations. “The IGN cannot be fundamentally different from other UN processes, wherein negotiations are held based on a text," Harish said, underlining India’s long-standing position that the reform process must move beyond informal discussions and towards structured negotiations. A key point of contention raised by India was the Elements Paper’s treatment of permanent membership in the Security Council.

Harish objected to the document’s suggestion that the concept of “permanency" requires further clarification and discussion, arguing that the UN Charter already provides a clear distinction between permanent and non-permanent members. “The UN Charter is very clear on this question and there is no room for ambiguity. Article 23 clearly categorises the UNSC members into two: permanent and non-permanent," he said. VIDEO | New York, USA: Ambassador Parvathaneni Harish, India’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York, criticises UNSC reform paper, urges text-based talks and greater recognition of support for new permanent seats.Ambassador Parvathaneni Harish says, “India… pic.twitter.com/cfyT43tTj8 — Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) June 16, 2026 India also argued that several influential groups within the UN system, including the African Group, the G4 and the L69 Group, already recognise permanent membership in line with the provisions of the Charter and do not consider its definition a matter of dispute. The Indian envoy further criticised the document for failing to adequately capture the widespread support for increasing African representation in the Security Council. Referring to previous IGN discussions on the African model, Harish said there was broad backing among member states for addressing the continent’s underrepresentation in the Council.