Last Updated: February 23, 2024, 22:26 IST
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar speaking at a Raisina panel discussion on the theme The Wonk Tank: Where Expertise Meets Authority on Friday.
Jaishankar responds wittily to a suggestion on India’s UNSC membership at Raisina Dialogue 2024
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar responded humorously to a proposal regarding changing the basis for candidacy for permanent membership in the UN Security Council (UNSC) during a panel discussion on Friday.
During one of the sessions at The Raisina Dialogue here, one of the Australian panelists jokingly suggested using ICC Test rankings for the UNSC seat. “In these difficult diplomatic negotiations, you just need an out-of-the-box idea,” Australian foreign policy expert Michael Fullilove said, proposing ICC Test rankings for the UNSC bid. “Leave it to BCCI,” Jaishankar replied, while appreciating the notion, suggested deferring to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) instead.
UNSC reform
It is no secret that India has long sought a permanent seat in the UNSC to represent developing world interests. India, a country with the largest population in the world, is part of the G4 nations advocating UNSC reform. On several occasions on the global stage, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has made a case for India’s claim, stressing the need for global representation.
Read More: ‘Biggest Opposer Of UN Security Council Reform Is Not a Western Country’: Jaishankar In Apparent Dig at China
India’s quest for UNSC reform continues, with Modi underscoring its necessity for global inclusivity. The G4 nations, including India, persist in advocating for UNSC restructuring, seeking equitable representation. On Thursday, Jaishankar asserted that the world can’t continue in an international system rooted in the post-Second World War period.
“When the UN was invented, it had approximately 50 members. We have four times the members. So, it’s a commonsense proposition that you can’t continue the same way when you have four times the members.” His answer came in response to a question if the global system should be reformed or overhauled.
