New Delhi — The United Nations has thrown its full support behind Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s demand for structural overhauls of the UN Security Council (UNSC), declaring that long-overdue institutional modernization “can no longer be delayed.”
During the 18th BRICS Summit in the capital, UN Secretary-General’s Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric echoed New Delhi’s stance, emphasizing that the current framework of five permanent members remains a relic of 1945 that fails to capture contemporary 21st-century realities.
“Whether it is the Security Council or the international financial institutions or all sorts of other international institutions, they need to reflect 2026, and no longer 1945,” Dujarric remarked, advocating for an inclusive, highly representative global body.
Dismantling the “Pyramid of Privilege”
Addressing leaders on inclusive global governance, Prime Minister Modi critiqued the current international hierarchy as a “pyramid of privilege,” wherein major decisions are hoarded at the apex while vulnerable developing nations occupy the “back row” of crisis response.
To transition from exclusivity to partnership, PM Modi introduced a comprehensive BRICS Reform Roadmap focused on three definitive areas:
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Representation: Demanding text-based negotiations tied to a fixed timeframe for UNSC expansion.
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Responsiveness: Elevating the frontline perspectives of the Global South in international security architectures.
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Rule-Making: Ensuring every nation possesses an equitable stake in multilateral decision-making.
Key Commitments in the New Delhi Declaration
The landmark New Delhi Declaration solidified the bloc’s collective stance, calling for broad structural reforms across multilateral organizations. Key takeaways include:
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The Bretton Woods Overhaul: Demanding that institutions like the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank accurately mirror current global economic weight and regional diversity.
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Backing for India and Brazil: Permanent UNSC members China and Russia reaffirmed explicit support for India and Brazil to secure expanded roles within the Security Council.
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WTO and Trade Integrity: Pressing for the immediate restoration of the World Trade Organization (WTO) dispute settlement mechanism and condemning unilateral protectionist sanctions.
India as a Global Bridge Builder
In bilateral talks on the sidelines, UN Secretary-General António Guterres and PM Modi reviewed volatile conflicts spanning Ukraine and the Middle East. Acknowledging New Delhi’s rising diplomatic capital, the UN hailed India’s unique capacity to function as a bridge builder capable of fostering dialogue and securing durable peaceful settlements.
Operating under the guiding theme “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability,” India’s presidency has successfully mobilized the Global South to chart a unified, equitable future for multilateral governance.
