Elon Musk bats for reforms in UN bodies, says depriving India of permanent UNSC seat 'absurd'

World’s richest person and Tesla CEO Elon Musk has batted for reforming the UN Security Council (UNSC) and said that India, despite being the most populous country, not having a permanent UNSC seat is “absurd”.

Taking to X, he said, “At some point, there needs to be a revision of the UN bodies. 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 imo.”

At some point, there needs to be a revision of the UN bodies.

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…

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 21, 2024

His remarks came after United Nations Secretary General António Guterres on Saturday lamented the lack of any African nation as permanent member of the Security Council.

“How can we accept that Africa still lacks a single Permanent Member in the Security Council?” he asked in a post on X.

“Institutions must reflect today’s world, not that of 80 years ago,” he added.

Guterres also hoped that September’s “Summit of the Future” would provide a platform to consider global governance reforms.

Responding to Guterres post, American-born Israeli venture capitalist Michael Eisenberg threw in India’s name.

“And what about India?” he asked. The businessman went a step further and suggested dismantling of the UN and “and build something new with real leadership.”

Musk then echoed the same sentiment as the billionaire said he saw the need for a revision of the UN body.

The United Nations Security Council is tasked with the responsibility of upholding global peace and security. It consists of 15 members, including five permanent members—namely, the United States, the United Kingdom, China, France, and Russia—each possessing veto power. The remaining 10 non-permanent members are elected by the General Assembly for two-year terms.

Despite India’s efforts to secure permanent membership, these endeavors have faced obstacles primarily from China, fueled by the existing animosity between the two nations.

With inputs from agencies