'Holds and blocks' in UNSC sanctions committees are 'disguised vetoes': India

NEW DELHI: India has indirectly criticised China, stating that the "holds" placed on proposals in the UNSC sanctions committees amount to "disguised vetoes." These actions prevent the listing of Pakistan-based global terrorists, with some Council members avoiding responsibility.
"The working methods of anybody must respond to the challenges confronted by it.And the United Nations Security Council's record in measuring up to the mounting challenges has been abysmal, to say the least," remarked India's permanent representative to the UN, Ambassador Ruchira Kamboj, on Tuesday.
Addressing the UN General Assembly on the second anniversary of the unanimous adoption of the 'Veto Initiative' aimed at strengthening the UN System, Kamboj said that the Security Council has employed its working methods to conceal vetoes, often disguising them under the ad hoc working methods of its committees, which operate on its behalf but lack sufficient accountability.
"Those of us familiar with the work of the Sanction Committees and its tradition of putting "holds and blocks" are aware that these are disguised vetoes on matters on which some Council members will not take any responsibility, and are not required to explain their decisions," Kamboj said.
Kamboj's statements appeared to be directed at China, which has frequently used holds and blocks to thwart proposals put forward by India and its partners, including the US, seeking to designate Pakistan-based terrorists under the 1267 Al Qaeda Sanctions Committee of the Security Council.
Two years ago, Resolution 76/262 was passed in the UN General Assembly, stipulating that the President of the 193-member General Assembly must convene a formal meeting within 10 days of a veto being cast by one or more permanent members of the 15-nation Security Council.
"While recognising the significance of these efforts, we would want these efforts to be undertaken in a manner that creates the environment for consensus building rather than finger-pointing," she said.
Kamboj added that it is "very clear" today that a majority of Member States, including many that were not independent at the time of the drafting of the United Nations charter, advocate for reform and feel inadequately represented in the decisions of the United Nations Security Council.
"The issue of the dysfunctionality of the United Nations Security Council and the use of the veto that we are discussing is not only because the veto is being used (because after all as long as the veto exists it will likely be used), but also because of the "binary nature" of the composition of the membership of the Council, which is not reflective of contemporary realities, and therefore ensures that the Council takes decisions in a vintage 'cold war' mode," she said.
India emphasized the importance of seeking solutions beyond the United Nations Security Council, citing the success of consensus outside the Council. The recent agreement reached at the G20 summit in New Delhi was highlighted as an example of this progress. Addressing the need for a more reflective Council membership, India stressed that diplomacy and dialogue require a modernized composition to effectively address global challenges.
During the New Delhi Summit in September 2023, India led the initiative to make the African Union a permanent member of the G20 under its Presidency. The issue of a "hidden veto" hindering the UN Security Council reform process was also raised, with concerns about certain members preventing the advancement of negotiations by upholding the existing status quo.
India called attention to the obstruction caused by some countries' insistence on consensus prior to negotiations, effectively impeding the text-based negotiation process crucial to the United Nations.
Advocating for Security Council reform, India emphasized the need for a more inclusive and representative structure to align with the contemporary global landscape.
The current UNSC configuration, comprising permanent members China, France, Russia, the UK, and the US, was criticized for not accurately reflecting the geopolitical realities of the 21st century. India, alongside the G4 nations of Brazil, Germany, and Japan, presented a detailed proposal for expanding the Security Council's membership to include additional permanent and non-permanent members, aiming to enhance the Council's effectiveness and legitimacy.
India's persistent efforts towards Security Council reform underscore its pursuit of a permanent seat at the UN high table, aligning with the evolving dynamics of international relations.
The call for a more representative Council structure resonates with the broader objective of fostering multilateral cooperation and addressing global challenges in a comprehensive and inclusive manner.
(With inputs from agencies)