EAM Jaishankar compares the UN Security Council to a traditional, established club

The UN Security Council is like an old club, according to External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar, who likened it to one that is unwilling to give up control or accept new members.

The union minister remarked, “The Security Council is like an old club, where there are set members who don’t want to let go of the grip,” during a speech in Bengaluru. Their goal is to maintain their hold on the club. Not eager to have their practices questioned or to accept additional members.

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Interestingly, the five permanent members of the UN Security Council—France, China, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States—are primarily responsible for maintaining international peace and security.

Jaishankar further poked fun at the council, claiming that the UN is losing its effectiveness and failing to reach a consensus on a number of important issues, such as the conflict between Israel and Hamas.

It is, in a sense, a human shortcoming. However, I believe that it is hurting the world now. It is bad for the world because the UN is becoming less and less effective on major global issues. I can also tell you the sentiment around the world. I mean, if you ask 200 countries worldwide today, would they support reform or not? “Yes, we want reform,” a great many nations would respond, he said.

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The minister had previously stated that the problem cannot be left “indefinite” and “unchallenged” and urged the UN to implement reforms in order to remain relevant in the contemporary world.

He said, “In our deliberations, we often advocate the promotion of a rules-based order,” at the 78th United Nations General Assembly in New York. Respect for the United Nations Charter is also involved from time to time. Despite all the talk, a small number of countries continue to set the agenda and work to establish standards. This cannot continue unchecked and will not be tolerated. When we all set our minds to it, a just, equal, and democratic order will undoubtedly come into being. To begin with, that entails making sure that those who make rules do not oppress those who follow them.”

Notably, there have been multiple requests for changes, as well as for the five-member council to have more responsive and balanced representation.

President of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), Dennis Francis, stated earlier this week that a more responsive, democratic, transparent, balanced, and representative Security Council is required.

“The Security Council – whose primary responsibility is to maintain international peace and security – however, seems caught in a concerning state of paralysis,” he stated.

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The Israel-Hamas conflict has lasted for more than nine weeks, and the UN Security Council has been unable to reach a consensus on a resolution requesting a ceasefire. Four resolutions were put to a vote by the Security Council following Israel’s commencement of its ground offensive strikes against Hamas in Gaza, all of which were rejected.

A resolution needs to be supported by nine votes in favor in order to pass and avoid a permanent member’s veto. The veto power was exercised by all five permanent members, exposing serious gaps in the crisis management process.