UNSC reform: S Jaishankar sets out priorities at G7 Foreign Ministers Meeting in France

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar told the G7 Foreign Ministers Meeting in France that UN Security Council reform is urgent. He also called for more efficient UN peacekeeping and stronger humanitarian supply chains. Jaishankar said Global South concerns include energy pressures, fertiliser availability, and food security, while India continues to press for permanent UNSC membership.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar told the G7 Foreign Ministers Meeting in France that global governance needed urgent changes. S Jaishankar flagged changes to the UN Security Council, leaner peacekeeping, and stronger humanitarian supply chains. The comments came during a session with invited partners, as India joined talks on global challenges.

In a post on X, S Jaishankar wrote: "Spoke at the @G7 Foreign Ministers Meeting session with invited partners on reform of global governance. Highlighted the urgency of UNSC reforms, streamlining peacekeeping operations, and strengthening humanitarian supply chains,\". The post also said S Jaishankar raised Global South concerns on energy, fertiliser, and food security.

UNSC reforms and India at the G7 Foreign Ministers Meeting

India has long pushed for reform of the United Nations Security Council. India has said it deserved a permanent seat on the UNSC. The Security Council now has five permanent members. They are China, France, Russia, the UK and the US. Only permanent members can veto substantive resolutions.

The Group of 7 includes Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK and the US. The European Union is also part of the bloc. G7 members use the forum to align responses to major economic, financial, and geopolitical issues. France also invited Saudi Arabia, South Korea and Brazil, besides India.

West Asia crisis focus at the G7 Foreign Ministers Meeting

S Jaishankar arrived in France on Thursday for the two-day meeting. It is being held at Abbaye des Vaux-de-Cernay on March 26–27. France’s Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Jean-Noel Barrot, invited participants. S Jaishankar is also expected to hold bilateral meetings on the sidelines.

S Jaishankar will discuss the West Asia crisis during the visit. The focus includes coordinating efforts to keep the Strait of Hormuz open. A French official said a session is dedicated to the crisis in West Asia. The strait is a narrow sea lane between the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman.

Strait of Hormuz energy risk and India at the G7 Foreign Ministers Meeting

Oil and gas prices have jumped after Iran virtually blocked the Strait of Hormuz. The route handles about 20 per cent of global oil and LNG shipments. West Asia is also a key source for India’s energy purchases. These developments added urgency to talks on regional stability and shipping security.

With inputs from PTI