Bhutan endorses India's UNSC aspirations, offers profound gratitude for India's support
- In Reports
- 09:31 PM, Sep 28, 2024
- Myind Staff
Bhutan Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay expressed support for India's bid for a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), highlighting India's notable economic growth and leadership in the Global South. His remarks were made during the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly on September 27.
Tshering Tobgay emphasised that Bhutan has been a strong advocate for reforming the UNSC, aiming for a more representative and effective body. He stated, "The United Nations must evolve to address today's realities. The Security Council, as it currently exists, is a relic of the past. We need a Council that reflects the current geopolitical and economic landscape. Bhutan has long supported reforms to enhance the Security Council's representation and effectiveness."
He added, "Given its significant economic growth and leadership in the Global South, India deserves a permanent seat on the Security Council. Likewise, Japan, as a leading donor and peacebuilder, also merits permanent membership." Tshering expressed gratitude to India for its support throughout Bhutan's development journey, stating, "We reserve our deepest thanks for India, our closest friend and neighbour.
They have been with us from the very beginning and have remained steadfast in their support and friendship." Notably, India has long pursued a permanent seat on the Security Council to better represent the interests of the developing world, with growing support from the international community.
The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) consists of 15 member states, which include five permanent members with veto power and ten non-permanent members elected for two-year terms. The five permanent members are China, the United Kingdom, France, Russia, and the United States. The non-permanent members are elected by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) for their two-year terms.
A day earlier, French President Emmanuel Macron expressed France's support for India's inclusion as a permanent member of the UNSC. He stated, "As long as we have a Security Council that is blocked by each member's respective interests, it will be difficult to make progress. I don't think there's a better system."
The French President also highlighted the necessity of reforming the UN, emphasising that enhancing the organisation’s representativeness is vital for improving its effectiveness. He stated, "We must make the UN more effective, primarily by making it more representative. That's why France, and I reiterate, supports the expansion of the Security Council. Germany, Japan, India, and Brazil should be permanent members, along with two countries designated by Africa to represent the continent."
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