Bhutan’s Foreign Minister Tandi Dorji expressed support for India’s aspiration to attain permanent membership in the UN Security Council (UNSC). He emphasized Bhutan’s belief that a reformed Council should include India, Japan, and representatives from the African Union as permanent members. He was speaking at the 78th session of United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
At UNGA, Bhutan’s Foreign Minister Dorji sayid, “We believe that the UNSC must evolve to stay relevant and effective to address the multifaceted challenges of our times and in this regard, Bhutan supports the expansion of both the permanent and non-permanent categories of the Security Council. We continue to believe that in a reformed Council, India and Japan must be included as permanent members so as members from the African Union.”
Addressing to the UNGA President, Dorji stressed that effective multilateralism must address the concerns of the less powerful nations of the world. He further stated, Global governance architecture has not delivered the equity and inclusion that is required to ensure that the ideals of the common agenda are carried out.”
During his speech, Bhutan’s Foreign Minister highlighted the pressing global issues of increasing fragmentation, polarization, and growing inequality. He emphasized the urgent need to strengthen multilateralism, fostering greater political determination, solidarity, and compassion. The Minister noted that Bhutan has consistently advocated for the reform of the UNSC to be concurrent with the reform of the entire UN system. He urged that this reform should take into account the interests and concerns of all member states, especially those that are currently unrepresented or underrepresented.
Furthermore, he emphasized Bhutan’s unwavering stance that the reform of the UNSC should proceed in tandem with the overhaul of the entire UN system.
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong had previously expressed her endorsement for India and Japan to attain permanent membership in the UNSC. She also emphasized the importance of increased permanent and non-permanent representation for Africa, Latin America, and Asia. Additionally, Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa had lent his support to India and Brazil’s bid for permanent membership in a reformed Security Council. In his UNGA address, US President Joe Biden had also reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to advocating for much-needed UNSC reforms.
Moreover, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, during the G20 summit in New Delhi, had publicly endorsed India’s bid for a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council and expressed his nation’s pride in the prospect of India becoming a full UNSC member. In June 2023, the United Kingdom also advocated for the expansion of the UNSC’s permanent seats, proposing the inclusion of India, Brazil, Germany, and Japan, alongside the imperative need for African representation.