India has conveyed to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) that the act of obstructing evidence-based proposals aimed at blacklisting globally sanctioned terrorists without providing justifications is unwarranted and displays a form of hypocrisy. The comments made by India's Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Ruchira Kamboj were directed toward certain member states, notably China and Pakistan.
Speaking during an open debate on Working Methods in the Security Council, Kamboj emphasized the need for the UNSC's Sanctions Committees to prioritize transparency and objectivity in the processes of listing and delisting individuals or entities and cautioned against decisions influenced by political considerations.
Kamboj's remarks were veiled references to China and its ally Pakistan, with China consistently placing holds and blocks on India-led proposals to designate Pakistan-based terrorists as global terrorists. One notable example occurred in June when China obstructed a proposal to label Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist Sajid Mir, wanted for his involvement in the 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks, as a global terrorist.
India, an eight-term elected member of the UNSC, expressed several key concerns regarding the Security Council's working methods and composition. Kamboj advocated for an expansion of the Council's membership to reflect contemporary geopolitical realities, emphasizing the inclusion of developing countries and underrepresented regions. She called on the international community to support a clear pathway for reforming the Council in a time-bound manner, rejecting the protracted and ambiguous Inter-Governmental Negotiations (IGN) process.
Furthermore, Kamboj highlighted the need for a more representative Council and criticized the Council's lack of diversity in chairing subsidiary bodies and distributing penholderships. She urged transparency, consultations, and a more integrated perspective in the selection of chairs and roles within the UNSC, challenging the "to the victors belong the spoils" mentality that persists among the P5 (permanent members of the Security Council).
In conclusion, India underscored the importance of adapting the Security Council to address evolving threats to international peace and security and called on those blocking reform efforts to contribute to making the Council more effective and credible for the 21st century.
