• Quad leaders call for urgent reforms to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to make it more representative and democratic.
• India, a Quad member, has been actively advocating for an expanded UNSC to reflect the geopolitical realities of the 21st century.
• The leaders expressed concern over the Ukraine conflict, condemning the use of nuclear weapons and highlighting the war's impact on global food and energy security.
• The Quad also addressed the Gaza conflict, calling for an immediate ceasefire, the release of hostages, and support for a two-state solution.

In a recent summit held in the hometown of US President Joe Biden, the leaders of the Quad, a strategic forum comprising the United States, India, Japan, and Australia, have called for urgent reforms to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). The leaders have emphasized the need for the UNSC to be more representative, accountable, inclusive, transparent, efficient, effective, and democratic.

The joint statement issued by the Quad leaders read, "We will reform the UN Security Council, recognizing the urgent need to make it more representative, inclusive, transparent, efficient, effective, democratic and accountable through expansion in permanent and non-permanent categories of membership of the UN Security Council." This call for reform is not just a mere statement but a reflection of the changing geopolitical realities of the world.

UNSC Reforms and India's Role

India, a member of the Quad, has been at the forefront of these reform efforts. The country has been actively engaged in the Intergovernmental Negotiations (IGN) on Security Council reform. As part of the G4, which also includes Brazil, Germany, and Japan, India has been advocating for an expanded UNSC to include more nations as permanent members.

This advocacy is a reflection of India's belief that the current composition of the UNSC does not accurately represent the geopolitical realities of the 21st century. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar have repeatedly addressed these reform issues in their speeches at the UN stage in New York. Their speeches have underscored India's commitment to a more representative and democratic UNSC.

Quad's Stance on Ukraine and Gaza Conflicts

The Quad leaders also addressed the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. They expressed deep concern over the humanitarian crisis in the country and reaffirmed their commitment to international law, territorial integrity, and sovereignty. The leaders condemned the ongoing violence and highlighted the war's negative impact on global food and energy security, particularly for developing nations.

Without explicitly naming Russia, the Quad leaders declared that the use of nuclear weapons is unacceptable. The joint statement read, "In the context of this war, we share the view that the use, or threat of use, of nuclear weapons is unacceptable. We underscore the importance of upholding international law, and in line with the UN Charter, reiterate that all states must refrain from the threat of or use of force against the territorial integrity and sovereignty or political independence of any state."

The leaders also addressed the conflict in Gaza. They condemned the terror attacks on Israel on October 7 and stressed the urgency of humanitarian assistance for the war-ravaged Palestinian region. The leaders called for an immediate ceasefire and the immediate release of all hostages held by Hamas.

The Quad's statement also reiterated support for a two-state solution, emphasizing the need for a sovereign Palestinian state while addressing Israel's legitimate security concerns. The leaders condemned the attacks by the Houthis against commercial vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, stating that these actions destabilize the region and threaten maritime safety.