India has called for more openness in how the UN Security Council and its working groups operate. Speaking at a recent UN meeting, Ambassador P. Harish explained that when requests to add people to the UN’s blacklist of terrorists are denied or delayed, the reasons are often kept secret. He referred to this lack of information as a “disguised veto,” meaning it acts like a veto but isn’t officially recognized as one.
Harish stressed the importance of reforming the Security Council to make it work better and be more transparent. He pointed out that while decisions to add individuals to the terrorist list are shared publicly, the reasons for rejecting these listings remain hidden, limiting accountability. This lack of transparency is especially concerning given that China, a close ally of Pakistan, often blocks India’s attempts to blacklist Pakistani terrorists.
Harish also lamented that while many countries agree on the necessity for reform, little progress has been made. He urged all UN member states to stop just talking about reform and take action instead. He emphasized that the path to real change begins with clear plans and timelines.
Additionally, he mentioned that when peacekeeping missions are planned, the concerns of countries providing troops and police need to be considered. As the largest contributor of peacekeeping forces, India believes this is crucial.
He urged the Security Council to remove outdated issues that no longer matter today and to engage more meaningfully with all UN member states. Simply summarizing the Security Council’s activities in reports isn’t enough; those reports should be more thorough and help member countries understand how the Council is functioning.
Harish concluded by saying the Security Council needs major changes to fit today’s world. Its current structure has not changed much in 80 years and doesn’t reflect contemporary realities. To effectively carry out its mission and meet people’s expectations, the Council must be reformed to serve its purpose better.
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