'Need To Expand...': Russia Joins Global Leaders In Supporting India's Bid For Permanent UNSC Seat

Russia's Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergei Lavrov. (AP file photo)

Russia, an important ally of New Delhi, joins the UK, France, Portugal and Bhutan in expressing support for India’s candidacy during the ongoing UN General Assembly session in New York

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Saturday joined global leaders to support India’s bid for a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).

“Undoubtedly, there is a need to expand the representation of the Global South in the UN Security Council. We support the candidacies of Brazil and India, while also backing the well-known initiatives of the African Union,” Lavrov said while addressing the UN General Assembly in New York.

Russia, an important ally of New Delhi, joins Portugal and Bhutan in expressing support for India’s candidacy during the ongoing UN General Assembly session, following endorsements from France and the United Kingdom (UK).

During his address at the UN, Bhutan’s Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay stated that India, with its significant economic growth and leadership in the Global South, deserves a permanent seat on the UNSC.

While Portuguese Prime Minister Luís Montenegro also backed India’s UNSC bid, stating, “We want to reform the global governance system to ensure greater representation, transparency, and cooperation.”

These endorsements follow similar calls from UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron. Speaking at the UN General Assembly, Starmer had stated, “We want to see permanent African representation on the Council, Brazil, India, Japan and Germany as permanent members, and more seats for elected members as well.”

Macron also strongly supported India’s inclusion as a permanent member during his UN address, saying, “Let’s make the UN more efficient. We need to make it more representative and that’s why France is in favour of the Security Council being expanded.”

India’s demand for permanent UNSC seat

The UNSC currently consists of five permanent members—Russia, the UK, China, France, and the United States—and ten non-permanent members elected for two-year terms by the UN General Assembly. The five permanent members have the power to veto any substantive UN resolution.

India has been a strong advocate for urgent reform of the Security Council, arguing that it deserves a permanent seat at the UN’s high table. India contends that the 15-nation council, established in 1945, is not suited for the 21st century and does not reflect current geopolitical realities.

India last served as a non-permanent member of the UNSC in 2021-22, and there is increasing demand for more permanent members to better represent the contemporary global landscape.

(With inputs from agencies)