Tesla CEO and Twitter owner Elon Musk emphasized the need for a review of United Nations bodies, expressing his view that India's absence as a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council is "absurd." Musk, an American entrepreneur, pointed out this issue during a discussion, stating that nations with significant power are reluctant to relinquish it. He also advocated for collective permanent membership for Africa in the United Nations.

Elon Musk expressed his views on United Nations reform through a post on X, stating, "At some point, there needs to be a revision of the UN bodies. The problem is that those with excess power don't want to give it up. It is absurd that India, despite being the most populous country on Earth, does not have a permanent seat on the Security Council. In my opinion, Africa collectively should also have a permanent seat."

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres made a fervent appeal for the UN to align with the contemporary world. He questioned the absence of a single permanent member from Africa in the Security Council, emphasizing the need for institutions to mirror the current global landscape, not that of 80 years ago.

In a post on January 21, Guterres highlighted the upcoming September Summit of the Future as an opportunity to deliberate on global governance reforms and rebuild trust. Meanwhile, India has served as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for eight terms, totaling 16 years.

India, a member of the G4 nations advocating for UNSC reform and seeking permanent membership, has garnered growing global support for its cause. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar emphasized the evolving sentiment worldwide, expressing confidence in India's rightful place at the UNSC.

Acknowledging that such opportunities are not easily granted, Jaishankar emphasized the need to seize them, highlighting the world's shifting perception toward India's deserved presence on the global stage.

In September 2023, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar voiced apprehension about the United Nations' resistance to structural reforms, stating that this reluctance could make the organization "anachronistic." Using an analogy of passengers on a bus, he referred to the permanent members of the UN Security Council, characterizing it as "injudicious" and implying the need for alternative solutions.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized the need for reform in the United Nations, highlighting that the world has significantly changed since its establishment. He pointed out that while there were 51 founding members when the UN was established, the current number of UN member countries is around 200. Despite this substantial increase, the composition of permanent members in the UN Security Council remains unchanged.

Image source: ANI