‘UN Must Adapt': EAM S Jaishankar Says India Has 'Powerful Case' To Be Permanent UNSC Member

EAM S Jaishankar emphasised that an expanded UNSC is not only in India’s favour but also in favour of other unrepresented areas.

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar addresses diplomats at the Prince Saud Al Faisal Institute of Diplomatic Studies in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Source : PTI

Calling out India’s bid for permanent membership in the UN Security Council (UNSC), External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar said India presents a powerful case and the UN organisation must adapt to the evolving global conditions.

“India has been at the forefront of the years-long efforts to reform the Security Council saying it rightly deserves a place as a permanent member of the Council, which in its current form does not represent the geo-political realities of the 21st Century,” EAM Jaishankar said during his visit to Saudi Arabia, according to the news agency PTI.

‘UN Must Adapt'

Stating that there is a broad global consensus over the need to reform the UNSC, particularly as it does not reflect the realities of the world, the minister emphasised that an expanded Council is not only in India’s favour but also in favour of other unrepresented areas.

“India as the largest democracy, fifth largest economy, nuclear power, technological hub, and tradition of global engagement has a powerful case to be a permanent member of the Security Council. The Council must adapt to the evolving global conditions, not only to fulfil its objectives of maintaining international security but also to remain relevant,” he told the Saudi Gazette newspaper.

Jaishankar is on a three-day visit to Saudi Arabia to discuss ways to further strengthen relations between the two countries.

The foreign minister called on Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and handed over a written message from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and apprised him of the progress in bilateral ties on Sunday.

He termed Saudi Arabia an “important player” in the global economy not only due to its impressive growth numbers but also due to its central position in the energy markets.