New Delhi: India has been consistently striving to become a permanent member of the UNSC. Russia has supported the demand for India’s inclusion as a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov made significant remarks at the UN General Assembly on Saturday. He stated that representation for regions of the Global South such as Asia, Africa, and Latin America should be increased during Security Council reforms.
He also backed the bids of India and Brazil for permanent membership while opposing the allocation of additional permanent seats to Western nations. India becoming a permanent member of the UNSC would be viewed as a major achievement.
Opposition to Germany and Japan
Lavrov clarified Russia’s stance regarding UN Security Council reforms, stating that there should be no additional permanent seats for Western countries. Mentioning Germany and Japan specifically, he claimed that both nations are moving towards militarism and reviving past ambitions.
Lavrov reiterated Russia’s support for increased representation for Asia, Africa, and Latin America, endorsing the permanent membership bids of India and Brazil. He further emphasised the need to consider the interests of the African continent during the Security Council reform process.
India Gains Support from Many Nations
India’s bid for permanent membership has garnered support from numerous countries during the current UN General Assembly debate. Nations including Germany and Japan have backed India’s candidacy. Mauritius’s Foreign Minister, Dhananjay Ramful, stated that his country supports the positions held by the G4 and L69 groups regarding UNSC reforms.
He reiterated support for India’s bid for permanent membership, noting that, given India’s constructive role in global affairs, it is essential for the country to be granted a permanent seat. Portugal has also supported structural reforms within the Security Council. Prime Minister Luís Montenegro emphasised the need for a Security Council with broader representation and advocated for permanent representation for Africa, Brazil, and India.
Japan Also Gains Support
Meanwhile, the Marshall Islands reiterated its long-standing support for securing permanent UNSC membership for Japan and its G4 partners. Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi also strongly called for Security Council reforms. She further stated that the Council must be transformed to reflect current global realities, advocating for an increase in the number of members across both permanent and non-permanent categories.
Call for Increased Representation
African nations have also demanded increased representation in the Security Council. Sierra Leone’s President Julius Maada Bio stated that the UNSC still reflects the world as it was in 1945. He further noted that despite Africa’s population exceeding 1.6 billion, the continent does not hold a permanent seat on the Security Council.
