India urges UN Security Council reform, warns inaction is eroding global public confidence

India has expressed concern over the declining public confidence in the United Nations stating that the organisations inability to reform the Security Council and respond effectively to global conflicts has weakened its credibility and raised questions about its effectiveness in maintaining international peace and securitySpeaking at a ministerial roundtable on Making Multilateralism Fit for the Future Indias Permanent Representative to the United Nations P Harish said the Security Councils failure to respond decisively to ongoing conflicts had adversely affected the global perception of the UNThe meeting was held as part of discussions on implementing the Pact for the Future adopted by world leaders in 2024India criticises Security Councils inability to resolve conflictsHarish said the Security Council had failed to intervene meaningfully in several major conflicts around the world resulting in prolonged human suffering and diminishing trust in the United NationsldquoPublic perception about the UN has changed adversely in the recent past primarily due to the Security Councilrsquos inability to meaningfully intervene in raging conflicts across different parts of the globerdquo he saidldquoThe Security Council has been ineffective in putting an end to human suffering among the affected populationsrdquo he added saying this had called into question the bodys ability to fulfil its core responsibility of maintaining international peace and securityCalls for urgent reform of UN systemHighlighting the need for institutional reforms Harish said the UNs existing structure established after the Second World War nearly 80 years ago is no longer equipped to address presentday global challengesHe said progress on reforming the Security Council had remained elusive despite years of negotiationsldquoThe Intergovernmental Negotiations IGN for Council reform have been limited to an endless cycle of prepared statementsrdquo he saidHarish argued that meaningful reforms were necessary to make the Security Council more representative effective and capable of addressing contemporary geopolitical realitiesPact for the Future goals yet to be realisedReferring to the commitments made under the Pact for the Future Harish said several action points had not translated into meaningful outcomesHe noted that the provisions relating to ending violence racism and xenophobia promoting gender equality and strengthening peacekeeping strategies had seen little progressldquoTherefore the Pactrsquos Action Points on 39 to 42 have largely remained on paperrdquo he saidldquoThis is untenable and must changerdquo he addedHarish also said India had expressed reservations about some of the action points during negotiations but chose to support the broader framework in a constructive spiritStronger role sought for General Assembly and ECOSOCApart from Security Council reform Harish stressed the importance of strengthening other key UN institutionsHe said the General Assembly should be revitalised and called for a stronger role for the Economic and Social Council ECOSOC in advancing sustainable development across economic social and environmental sectorsOn the development priorities of the Global South Harish reiterated Indias commitment to inclusive growthldquoOur commitment is unwavering to leave no one behind to mobilise resources where they matter most and to lead by examplerdquo he saidIndia seeks reforms in global financial institutionsHarish also called for reforms in international financial institutions saying they should become more representative responsive and developmentoriented while continuing to fulfil their existing mandatesHe emphasised that adequate affordable and predictable financing remains essential for achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development GoalsConcluding his remarks Harish said Indias approach to multilateral cooperation continues to be guided by its civilisational philosophyldquoIndia carries this paradigm forward grounded in our civilizational ethos of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam or the whole world is a familyrdquo he saidWith inputs from IANS