NEW DELHI – Prime Minister Narendra Modi has intensified his push for a significant overhaul of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), asserting that reform “can no longer be delayed.” Speaking at the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi, Modi called for concrete outcomes and fixed timelines to reshape a global governance structure he described as a “pyramid of privilege.”
UN Backs Need for 21st-Century Representation
The Prime Minister's stance received direct backing from the United Nations itself. Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for UN Secretary-General António Guterres, confirmed the UN's alignment with the demand for comprehensive structural changes across international bodies. “If you listen to what the Secretary-General has been saying since he took office... there is a fundamental need for reform of the Security Council,” Dujarric stated on the sidelines of the summit.
Dujarric emphasized the outdated nature of the current UNSC composition, particularly its five permanent members. “The fact that you look at the way the Council is made up now, of the 5 permanent members, it is no longer a reflection of the 21st century. Whether it is the Security Council or international financial institutions, they need to reflect 2026, and no longer 1945,” he added.
Addressing Global South Disparity
During a BRICS 2026 session focused on inclusive global governance and multilateralism, Prime Minister Modi highlighted the growing imbalance between decision-makers and the nations most affected by global policy. He noted that countries of the Global South, while often at the forefront of global crises, are frequently relegated to the “back row” of international decision-making processes.
To bridge this representational gap, Modi proposed transforming the existing framework into a “platform of partnership” where every nation holds a voice. He suggested that BRICS member states collaboratively draft 10 unified proposals centered on representation, responsiveness, and rule-making, aiming to establish a formal “BRICS Reform Roadmap” by the next summit.
New Delhi Declaration Reinforces Reform Call
The urgent call for UN Security Council reform was further reinforced in the unanimously adopted New Delhi Declaration. This declaration reiterated BRICS member states' commitment to upgrading international governance to make it more representative of developing nations and Least Developed Countries (LDCs) across Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Dujarric commended India's leadership during its BRICS chairship, acknowledging the successful consensus behind the joint statement and stressing the importance of constructive dialogue to ensure global institutions remain agile, effective, and reflective of contemporary economic and geopolitical realities.