India’s Statement in the IGN meeting on Security Council reforms (April 20, 2026)

Distinguished co-Chairs, Excellencies and Colleagues,

I thank the co-Chairs for convening today's discussion that focuses on the African model of United Nations Security Council Reform.

2. India fully aligns with the statements delivered by the PR of Saint Lucia, on behalf of L.69 and PR of Brazil, on behalf of G4. In addition, I would like to deliver the following in my national capacity.

3. At the outset, India whole-heartedly welcomes the presentation of the African model and thanks our friends from the region who worked tirelessly towards its realization. While reiterating its support for the African model, India would like to underline certain specific points.

4. First, presentation of the African model fully clears the path for undertaking concrete steps towards real reforms. The need to address historical injustice against Africa has been a dominant theme in the IGN discussions over the years. The presented model not only provides a detailed outline towards addressing this matter, but also offers a clear roadmap to implement reforms in a comprehensive manner, across the five clusters.

5. Second, the model calls for expansion in both categories. The call for greater representation of the Global South, particularly in the permanent category is loud and clear. There must be enhanced representation of the developing world in the Security Council in order to accurately reflect the contemporary geo-political realities. The Global South needs to have a more active role and larger representation in the Security Council during the discussions, particularly pertaining to issues that directly affect them. This cannot be achieved without ensuring their enhanced representation in both categories of membership of the Security Council.

6. Third, the size of 26 members in a reformed Security Council aligns well with India's national position, as also articulated in the L69 and G4 models. Working methods must not be cited as an impediment. As such, UNSC Rules of Procedure are provisional in nature. They could be modified suitably in order to accommodate 11 more members, covering both categories of membership in the Security Council.

7. Fourth, India takes positive note of the recommendation to strengthen UNSC's relationship with the TCCs. As a member state with significant and longstanding contribution to peacekeeping, India strongly advocates a larger role for the TCCs in drawing up of mandates, their implementation and renewal. The experience that TCCs bring from the field is valuable for this task. India also welcomes the call to UNSC members to avoid using the Council to pursue national political agendas. This is true for the Sanctions as well, as alluded to in the African model.

8. Fifth, African model is unambiguous and categorical in its position on the veto. There cannot be a sub-category within the permanent category, wherein some member states have veto and others do not. An all or none principle has to be followed. Existing and new permanent members must have the same privileges and responsibilities.

9. Sixth, as propounded in the African model, UN Security Council and UN General Assembly must work together in a collaborative spirit for the greater good of humanity. A smooth channel of communication and enabling processes must guide these interactions.

10. Finally, India would like to stress that efforts aimed at achieving expansion in the non-permanent category only would not result in real and substantive reform. An effort to apply the principle of sovereign equality to an inherently and structurally unequal UN Security Council is a contradiction in terms. India's endeavor has been to reduce the existing inequities by expanding both categories of membership, and thereby, increase the representativeness of the Security Council and bring about greater balance between permanent and non-permanent members and change the political dynamics of the Council for better outcomes on peace and security issues. More representativeness translates to more democracy. In closing, I am happy to note that the African model fully encapsulates this spirit.

I thank you, co-Chairs.

New York
April 20, 2026