Recent international crises prove need to reform Security Council, India tells UN

Recent events in Lebanon and the stalemate in the Middle East peace process have demonstrated the growing failure of the Security Council to tackle issues under its mandate, the Defence Minister of India told the General Assembly today, calling for reform of the 15-member body.

“There is wide acceptance that the Security Council can no longer be regarded as being reflective of the changed international environment that has emerged since the time of its creation,” Pranab Mukherjee told the Assembly’s annual debate. “The Security Council has not only to be more representative but also to be more effective if it is to be able to satisfactorily perform the role mandated to it by the Charter.”

He also said the global response to terrorism has remained inadequate and voiced outrage at the bombings in Mumbai and elsewhere that have claimed innocent lives. “A strong response to terrorism requires broad-based international cooperation denying the space available to terrorists and increasing the capability of States to address terrorist threats.”

Mr. Mukherjee welcomed the recent adoption of a UN Counter-Terrorism Strategy but said it should have been stronger. In addition, he said the international community must “unanimously reject the notion that any cause can justify terrorism.”

The comprehensive convention on terrorism now being drafted would provide the legal framework for addressing the issue, he said, appealing for agreement on the pact. “It cannot be beyond our collective ingenuity to reach an agreement on this comprehensive convention.”