UK No Longer A 'Great Power', Should Relinquish Its UNSC Seat To India: Ex-Singaporean Diplomat

The United Nations Security Council is in dire need of reforms, with India deserving a rightful place as a permanent member, according to former Singapore diplomat Kishore Mahbubani.

Kishore Mahbubani served as Singapore Permanent Representative to the United Nations between 1984 and 1989, and again between 1998 and 2004, and President of the United Nations Security Council between 2001 and 2002.

Mahbubani emphasised the necessity of reforming the UN structure, and advocated for India’s inclusion as a permanent member of the Security Council.

Mahbubani argued that the United Kingdom should relinquish its seat in favour of India.

He pointed out that India, as the third-most powerful nation after the United States and China, should replace the UK, which, according to him, no longer holds the same global stature.

"There is absolutely no question that India is the third-most powerful country in the world today after the United States and China. And that Great Britain is no longer 'great'," he said in an interview with NDTV.

He added that the UK has avoided using its veto power for fear of repercussions, which supports the case for India to take over its position in the Security Council.

"So, the logical thing for the UK to do is give up its seat to India," he said.

Discussing the broader need for UN reforms, Mahbubani highlighted that the UN’s founders originally ensured that all major powers of the time to have vested interests in the organization, ensuring its efficacy.

They learned from the downfall of the League of Nations that the inclusion of current global powers was vital to the UN's effectiveness.

"But they also believed that you must have the great powers of today, not the great powers of yesterday. Unfortunately, they didn't create a mechanism for changing the seats," he said.

Mahbubani further suggested that relinquishing its seat would allow the UK to operate more independently on the global stage.

He further argued that if the UK relinquishes its seat, it could operate with more independence in international affairs.

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