'Can't be my way or highway': India crushes China & Pak-backed UFC model for opposing UNSC reforms
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New York, Mar 20: India criticised the Uniting for Consensus (UFC) model at the United Nations for “opposing” reforms to the United Nations Security Council on March 18. The UFC grouping, comprising Canada, Turkey, Pakistan and other nations is supported by China as an “observer”.
The UFC, which comprises 12 countries and two observers, including a P5 nation, stands against the idea advocated by a majority of the UN member states — which is an expansion in the permanent and non-permanent categories of an expanded Security Council.
“How does the model represent Africa, Latin America, and Asia?… When Africa itself is asking for an expansion in both categories of membership, isn’t it uncalled for to do just what Africa was subjected to in perpetuity in the past, which is deciding on their behalf?” India’s Permanent Representative at the UN, Ruchira Kamboj, asked.
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She also raised objections over absence of Global South countries and took a veiled dig at China. "While espousing the principle of sovereign equality, India also asked why the UFC model is content to relegate the delegations of the Global South to the category of non-permanent seats. Would the UFC solution of adding only 12 more non-permanent members make any difference to the dysfunctional dynamics of the United Nations Security Council emanating from the outdated composition of its permanent category? And given that the UFC model has suggested no change in P5 composition and is also being made on behalf of a country that is represented in the permanent category. Is that not a conflict of interest?
India slams UFC model for UNSC reforms, citing lack of African, Global South representation and no change in permanent seat membership. Highlights China's conflict of interest in supporting no alteration in permanent membership. @IndiaUNNewYork @ruchirakamboj at IGN pic.twitter.com/caN79RCEwB
— Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) March 20, 2024
“We do not operate on the basis of vetoes in the United Nations General Assembly. Thus, when asking for an impossible consensus preceding text-based negotiations, isn’t the UFC just vetoing the whole process and suggesting a my-way-or-the-highway’ approach,” Kamboj asked.
"The UFC model asks for flexibility from Member States? We have said this before and we say so again that we are ready and willing to negotiate and be flexible in a setting where every member state is ready to give and take. My question is why is the UFC not ready to give and take on its proposal?" she asked.
Also Read: "How can we allow five permanent members to override collective voice of 188 members": India calls for UNSC reforms
India has time and again criticized the United Nations over reforms of the international body. Several countries have also backed this stance and supported India for a permanent membership.