External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said meaningful reform and expansion of the UN Security Council are essential to improve the credibility
May 15, 2026: S Jaishankar on Friday strongly advocated for the expansion and reform of the United Nations Security Council, warning that the effectiveness and credibility of the United Nations would remain “constrained” without meaningful structural changes. He made the remarks while addressing a conclave of foreign ministers from the BRICS nations in New Delhi.
Speaking at the meeting, Jaishankar said the current global governance system no longer reflects modern geopolitical realities. He noted that the world had become far more interconnected, complex and multipolar since many global institutions were originally created, but their structures had failed to evolve accordingly. Stressing the need for reform, he said representation from regions such as Asia, Africa and Latin America was essential in any expanded Security Council framework.
The minister outlined four major areas requiring urgent reform, placing the restructuring of the United Nations and its subsidiary bodies at the centre of India’s concerns. He said the membership and responsibilities of the UN had expanded significantly over time, but key decision-making structures still reflected an outdated global order. Jaishankar also called for serious negotiations on Security Council reform, saying BRICS nations had already discussed the issue extensively during the Johannesburg Summit.
Apart from UN reforms, Jaishankar highlighted the need to overhaul the global financial architecture and strengthen the multilateral trading system. He pointed to vulnerabilities in supply chains, energy security challenges and unequal access to critical resources as key concerns affecting developing countries. The minister also stressed the importance of a rules-based and inclusive global trading system centred around the World Trade Organization, while urging reforms that address global asymmetries and the concerns of emerging economies.