Indias Stance on UN: Past Wars Should Not Define Current Policies
India asserts that outcomes of wars from 80 years ago should not dictate todays UN policies, stressing the need for reform.
United Nations, October 23 (Daily Kiran) : India has asserted that the outcomes of wars fought over 80 years ago should not dictate the current direction of the United Nations. Speaking at the UN General Assembly, India’s Permanent Representative P. Harish emphasized that the credibility of the UN is diminishing, as its Security Council does not accurately reflect the current global landscape.
Harish stated, “No war, especially one that occurred more than 80 years ago, can determine the state of the world today.” He pointed out that the power derived from victories of the past does not compensate for the lack of legitimacy in the current, non-representative Security Council.
He reminded attendees that the permanent membership of the Security Council is still held by countries considered winners of World War II, despite India’s significant contribution during that conflict. Harish noted that approximately 2.5 million Indians served in the war, with around 90,000 soldiers losing their lives. He also highlighted the Bengal famine, exacerbated by colonial policies, which resulted in the deaths of over 4 million people.
According to Harish, some individuals attempt to ignore or suppress these historical truths. He criticized the structure of the UN, stating that it was created by victors who did not account for the concerns of the victims.
He argued that the special privileges granted to winning nations in the 1945 UN Charter should not be used to indefinitely stall discussions on Security Council reform. Harish insisted that a draft text, timeline, and clear direction are essential for constructive dialogue.
He accused a small group of countries, led by Italy and including Pakistan, of obstructing the necessary draft text for negotiations through procedural tactics. This group, calling itself “Uniting for Consensus” (UFC), claims that consensus among all nations is required before adopting any draft text.
Harish expressed confusion over this approach, stating that in any multilateral process, a draft text is necessary to initiate discussions, not after they conclude. He called for discussions on Security Council reform to proceed based on a written draft, similar to other processes within the UN.
