US calls for reform as it reacts to Elon Musk's remark backing India for UNSC permanent seat

Reacting to Tesla chief Elon Musk's remarks endorsing India for a permanent seat at the UN Security Council, the Biden administration official said that the US supports reforms in the UN institutions. The remarks were made by Department Principal Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel during a press briefing on April 17.

"The President has spoken about this before in his remarks to the UN General Assembly, and the Secretary has alluded to this as well. We certainly support reforms to the UN institution, including the Security Council, to make it reflective of the 21st-century world that we live in. I don't have any specifics to offer on what those steps are, but certainly, we recognise that there is a need for reform, but I will leave it at that for now," he said.

Elon Musk on January said that India not having a permanent seat in the UNSC was 'absurd.' He said that nations with excess power don't want to relinquish it.

"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 (sic)."

India has long sought a permanent seat on the Security Council to better represent the interests of the developing world. The nation's quest has gained momentum with support from the international community.

The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) is composed of 15 member states, including five permanent members with veto power and ten non-permanent members elected for two-year terms.