India has raised concerns about the record-keeping of negotiations for Security Council reforms at the United Nations. India’s Permanent Representative P Harish highlighted that the document from the last meeting did not accurately represent the widespread support for expanding both permanent and non-permanent membership categories. Harish, speaking on behalf of the G4 group comprising India, Brazil, Germany, and Japan, emphasized the need for an objective reflection of member states’ views in the negotiation process.
Most UN members back the expansion of both permanent and non-permanent categories, contrary to the characterization of support as merely ‘significant.’ The G4 group, advocating for reforms and seeking permanent seats in a reformed body, urged for an accurate portrayal of majority opinions in the negotiation documents. The absence of a negotiating text, due to opposition from a small group of countries, has led to reliance on “Elements Papers” to gauge support levels for various reform aspects and move the discussions forward.
During the recent session discussing the joint African position on reforms, there was overwhelming support for increasing both permanent and non-permanent membership categories. However, a group of countries known as Uniting for Consensus (UfC), led by Italy and including Pakistan, opposes expanding the permanent category and employs procedural tactics to hinder progress. The G4 stressed the necessity of initiating text-based negotiations as a consolidated model to drive discussions towards tangible outcomes and away from stagnation.
Countering the UfC’s stance that consensus is a prerequisite for a negotiating text, Harish emphasized that a consolidated model should serve as a discussion starting point rather than a consensus-seeking tool. The G4 group underlined the importance of evolving bridging proposals and hybrid ideas through discussions among various groups and member states based on text negotiations. Emphasizing the urgency for progress, the G4 reiterated the need for the IGN to commence text-based negotiations promptly without further delays.
