India questions use of UN veto power, says it should serve peace, not political interests

New York (The Uttam Hindu): India's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Parvathaneni Harish called for the responsible use of veto power during a UN General Assembly session. He said the power held by the five permanent members of the UN Security Council should be exercised with restraint, particularly on matters concerning international peace and security, rather than to advance narrow political interests.

Harish said the veto was not merely a privilege but also a responsibility requiring accountability. According to him, the veto has been used 331 times on nearly 200 resolutions since the establishment of the United Nations. He noted that two permanent members had not exercised the power for more than three decades, while most instances of its use or threatened use involved the other three. He also referred to a 2022 initiative requiring a General Assembly debate whenever a permanent Security Council member uses its veto.

Harish said the experience following the adoption of UN General Assembly Resolution 76/262 showed that debates alone could not provide a lasting solution to the issue. He highlighted veto power as one of the five key areas under discussions on Security Council reform through the Intergovernmental Negotiations process. India supports the resolution's objective of strengthening accountability, he said, but stressed that comprehensive Security Council reform is necessary to ensure greater accountability in decisions affecting international peace and security.