UNSC needs reform to include Global South or remains 'talk shop': Modi

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
21 May 2023 22:00
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Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi says that institutions of the previous century no longer reflect the realities of today and reform is necessary moving forward.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi participates in a G7 working session on food, health and development during the G7 Summit in Hiroshima, Japan, Saturday, May 20, 2023 (AP)

To better reflect the world today, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi suggested, while at the G7 summit which he attended as a guest, that the United Nations and its Security Council be reformed.

Modi said "The institutions created in the last century are not in line with the system of the twenty-first century … They do not reflect the realities of the present," explaining "That is why it is necessary that reforms should be implemented."

Modi argued that as long as the Global South remained absent from the five-nation Security Council, "The UN and the Security Council will remain just a talk shop."

Earlier, on Saturday, Modi said he met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for the first time since the start of the Ukraine war on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Japan. Ukraine was also invited to the summit as a special guest.

"Met President [Zelenskyy] in Hiroshima. Conveyed our clear support for dialogue and diplomacy to find a way forward. We will continue extending humanitarian assistance to the people of Ukraine," Modi tweeted.

On his part, Zelensky said that he briefed Modi on the tenants of his "peace formula" and invited him to join its implementation. The Ukrainian President also extended his gratitude to India for "supporting our country's [Ukraine's] territorial integrity and sovereignty" and providing humanitarian aid.