September 26, 2024: In a significant endorsement of India’s bid for a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), French President Emmanuel Macron declared his support during his address to the UN General Assembly on Thursday. Macron emphasized the necessity of reforming the UNSC to reflect the evolving global landscape.

“France is in favor of the Security Council being expanded,” Macron stated. He proposed that Germany, Japan, India, and Brazil should be granted permanent membership, along with two nations chosen by African nations to ensure representation for the continent.

Macron underscored that merely expanding the Council’s membership would not suffice. He urged reforms in the Council’s operational methods and called for limitations on the veto power, particularly in cases involving mass atrocities. “We must ensure the Council can respond effectively to the pressing challenges of our times,” he added, highlighting the need for decisive action in maintaining international peace and security.

The French leader’s remarks come as India intensifies its efforts to secure a place at the high table of global diplomacy, aligning with a broader push for a more inclusive and representative international governance structure. The endorsement from France, a permanent member of the UNSC, could bolster India's ongoing campaign for reform.