United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has once again called for urgent reform of the UN Security Council (UNSC), stating that changes are no longer optional but absolutely necessary. He warned that those who continue to hold on to old privileges risk losing relevance in a fast-changing world. His remarks come at a time when India is actively pushing for permanent membership in a reformed and expanded Security Council.

Guterres made his position clear through a post on X, where he strongly underlined the need for bold action. “Reforming the Security Council is not just important – it is essential. Those who try to cling to privileges today risk paying the price tomorrow. We must all be bold enough to change. The world is not waiting. Neither should we,” he said.

These comments reflect growing concerns within the international community that the current structure of the UN Security Council does not represent present-day global realities. Many countries, especially emerging powers and developing nations, have argued that the council’s composition is outdated and does not match the modern balance of power.

At present, the UN Security Council has 15 members. Five of them are permanent members — the United States, China, France, Russia and the United Kingdom. These five countries have veto power, which allows them to block any major resolution. Alongside them are 10 non-permanent members, who are elected for two-year terms. These members do not have veto rights.

This structure has remained largely unchanged since 1945, when the UN was formed after World War II. Over the years, criticism has increased, with many nations questioning whether a system created more than seven decades ago can still effectively handle today’s global challenges.

India has been one of the strongest voices calling for reform. Although it is not a permanent member, India has consistently campaigned for a seat in a reformed and expanded Security Council. The Indian government has made it clear that UNSC reforms remain its top foreign policy priority.

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has repeatedly spoken about India’s claim. Addressing Parliament in 2024, he said India “strongly believes that it has all the credentials to be a permanent member of a reformed and expanded UNSC that reflects contemporary global realities”.

The UN leadership has also acknowledged India’s role and contribution within the organisation. UN Secretary-General Guterres and UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric have both highlighted India’s importance in the UN system on several occasions.

Speaking last year, Dujarric praised India’s commitment to multilateralism and its active engagement with the United Nations. “India is a very important part of the UN system. They are a great supporter of multilateralism… India is an important voice within the UN system,” he said.

India’s demand for permanent membership has also received backing from several major global powers. Countries such as Russia, the United States, France and the United Kingdom have, at different times, expressed support for India’s bid for a permanent seat on the Security Council.

India most recently served as a non-permanent member of the Security Council from 2021 to 2022. During this period, it continued to push for reforms aimed at making the council more representative, more effective, and better aligned with today’s global balance of power.

Guterres’ latest remarks have added momentum to the ongoing debate on Security Council reform. His warning against “clinging to privileges” highlights the growing pressure on existing permanent members to accept change. As global challenges continue to evolve, calls for a more inclusive and realistic Security Council are becoming louder.

For India, the renewed push from the UN chief strengthens its long-standing argument that global institutions must adapt to reflect current realities rather than remain stuck in the past.