New York

India on Monday called for major reforms in global financial governance and the United Nations Security Council, stressing that global institutions must better represent the aspirations of the Global South. The remarks were made during key discussions at United Nations Headquarters.

According to Randhir Jaiswal, Sibi George delivered India’s national statement at the General Debate of the 2026 United Nations Economic and Social Council Forum on financing for development follow-up.

India highlighted deep structural challenges in global development financing and urged systemic reform. It called for a fair, inclusive and development-oriented global financial system to help bridge the estimated USD 4 trillion Sustainable Development Goals financing gap. India also emphasised reform of international financial institutions, a stronger voice for developing nations, and wider deployment of digital public infrastructure to meet the Sevilla Commitment.

In a separate intervention at the Intergovernmental Negotiations meeting on United Nations Security Council reforms, India renewed its demand for expansion of the Council. It argued that the present structure does not adequately represent developing countries, especially in the permanent membership category.

India also noted similarities between its position on Security Council reform and the African model, reinforcing calls for greater representation of the Global South.

Earlier, Sibi George met Khaled Khiari, Assistant Secretary-General for the Middle East, Asia and the Pacific in the UN Departments of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and Peace Operations. Both sides held what was described as a productive discussion on several issues, with special focus on UN peacekeeping.

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India remains one of the largest and most consistent contributors to United Nations Peacekeeping operations, with more than 275,000 Indian personnel having served under the UN flag since 1948.