US reacts to Musk backing permanent UNSC seat for India
What's the story
The United States supports reforms in the United Nations, including the UN Security Council, US State Department Principal Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel said in a press conference on Wednesday (local time).
While responding to a question about Tesla CEO Elon Musk's statement on India lacking a permanent seat at the UNSC, Patel said, "The President has spoken about this before...We...support reforms to the UN institution, including the Security Council, to make it reflective of the...world that we live in."
Context
Why does this story matter?
India has been pursuing a permanent seat on the UNSC in order to more effectively advocate for the interests of the developing world.
The UNSC has 15 member states—including five permanent members with veto power and 10 non-permanent members that are elected for a two-year term.
China, the United Kingdom, France, Russia and the US are permanent members of the UNSC.
Musk's critique
Musk's statement on India's absence from UNSC
In January, Musk voiced his opinion on the need for UNSC reforms, calling India's lack of a permanent seat "absurd."
In a post on X, Musk said, "There needs to be a revision of the UN bodies at some point. The issue is that those with too much power don't want to give it up."
"It's absurd that India, the most populous country on Earth, doesn't have a permanent seat on the Security Council," he added.
Sankalp Patra
BJP pledges to seek UNSC permanent membership in manifesto
The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party in its election manifesto—Sankalp Patra—has promised to pursue permanent membership for India in the UNSC.
"We are committed to seeking permanent membership in the UNSC to elevate Bharat's position in global decision-making," the manifesto, which was released on April 14, said.
In January, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in a Townhall meeting in Nagpur, Maharashtra said, "With each passing year...feeling in the world is that India should be there...I can feel that support."
Statement
UN Secretary General highlights lack of African representation
To recall, in his statement in January, the Tesla CEO also said, "In my opinion, Africa should also have a permanent seat collectively."
Musk's comments followed UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres expressing his disappointment over the absence of any African nation as a permanent member of the Security Council.
Guterres had said, "Institutions must reflect today's world, not that of 80 years ago."