On 21st January, tech billionaire Elon Musk criticised the current structure of the United Nations bodies and called for the need for reform. His remarks reignited the debate on the representations in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) as he specifically highlighted the absence of India, the world’s most populous country, from the permanent membership of the UNSC. Calling this omission “absurd”, Musk also advocated for the inclusion of representation from African countries.
He wrote, “At some point, there needs to be a revision of the UN bodies. The problem is that those with excess power don’t want to give it up. India not having a permanent seat on the Security Council, despite being the most populous country on Earth, is absurd. Africa collectively should also have a permanent seat in.”
Musk’s supporting India’s inclusion in the UNSC resonates with the country’s long-standing campaign for a permanent seat in the UN body. Notably, President Joe Biden has repeatedly called for giving India a permanent seat in the UNSC. In September 2023, when President Biden was in India for a G20 meeting, he supported India’s permanent representation in the UNSC. In 2021 as well, President Biden reiterated US support for India’s permanent seat at the UNSC. Apart from the US, the UK has also reiterated its support for India’s permanent representation at the UN body.
The Tesla and Space X CEO also advocated for Africa’s representation at the highest level and suggested that the continent should have a permanent seat collectively in the Council. His statement resonated with the wider criticism that the current composition of the UNSC does not reflect the geopolitical realities of the 21st century. Notably, in January 2023, during his visit to India, United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) President Csaba Korosi said that the UN Security Council needs to be reformed. Korosi stressed the need for reform in the council’s size, composition, and regulations.
At present, the US, the UK, France, Russia and China hold permanent seats at the United Nations Security Council and it has remained unchanged since the end of World War II. The geopolitical realities have changed extensively since then, especially in terms of India’s influence on global platforms.
Though Musk’s statements do not directly influence the policies of the United Nations, they add a prominent voice to the ongoing discourse about the need for reform in the structures of the UN bodies. The comments from business community leaders like Musk draw attention and possibly catalyse further dialogue among global leaders and the international community.