India calls for 'reform and reinvigoration' of Security Council

India's Ambassador to the United Nations Syed Akbaruddin called for a reform and reinvigoration of the UN Security Council, and focused on the role of strengthening multilateralism- an organising principle for international cooperation.

In a UN Security Council Open Debate, India mentioned that if the Council is not reformed, renovated and includes multilateralism as a practice, world peace is likely to be replaced by a 'world order in pieces'.

Under the agenda of maintaining international peace and security, Akbaruddin said that the Council is facing a manifold crisis of performance, credibility, legitimacy, and relevance. However, to blame multilateralism for such a dismal situation of the Council is not legitimate, he added.

Targeting the working methods, Akbaruddin noted that even as the Council has formed an entire range of the subordinate bodies, the functioning of this 'subterranean universe' of subordinate bodies has become Byzantine. He also suggested that in the place of only five members having a veto on informal meetings, all 15 members should be bestowed with a veto in the 'subterranean universe' of sanctions committees.

In addition, as the task of promoting and maintaining international peace and security has grown more daunting, the Council has been found wanting, Akbaruddin said.