Suryaa Now International Desk: Surya International Bureau, New York: India strongly opposes new permanent membership proposals without veto power in the United Nations Security Council reform process... Surya International Bureau, New York: India strongly opposes proposals for new permanent membership without veto power in the UN Security Council reform process. India has made it clear that adding new countries as permanent members without veto power would leave them as mere "second class" members and would serve no purpose in changing the monopoly of the existing five permanent members. India's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Parvatane Harish, criticized the country's position at the Inter-Governmental Negotiations panel held at the United Nations General Assembly on Security Council reforms.
All should have equal rights, equal responsibilities: Harish stated that India's position regarding veto power is very clear and it is fully in line with the 'Common African Position'. As long as the veto system continues in the reformed Security Council, it is clear that all new permanent members should have that power equally. It demanded that all permanent members should enjoy the same rights and responsibilities considering justice and impartiality. He warned that creating only temporary or veto-free long-term seats would not only complicate the reform process but also perpetuate inequality.
Veto should not be used for political vested interests: India has expressed the interest that veto is a special power that should be used responsibly in maintaining international peace and security and that it should not be used as a tool for narrow political interests. He said that continuing to reflect the world realities of 1945 is undermining the credibility of the Security Council. He called on UN member states to immediately start time-bound text-based negotiations, saying only comprehensive reforms would result, not pieces of wood. It has been reiterated on the international stage that the time has come for India, which has the largest population and fastest growing economy in the contemporary world, to be given an appropriate permanent seat in the Security Council.