Russia backs India’s permanent UNSC seat, opposes more Western expansion

NEW DELHI, Sept 27: Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has backed India’s candidacy for a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), while cautioning against increasing Western representation as part of any reform of the powerful UN body.

Addressing world leaders at the UN General Assembly, Lavrov said changes to the Security Council must not weaken the prerogatives of the Council or its permanent members. He also made clear Moscow’s opposition to allocating additional permanent seats to Western countries.

“UN Security Council reform cannot involve any additional seats being allocated to Western countries, especially to Germany and Japan, who are now on the path to militarism and revanchism,” Lavrov stated.

At the same time, Lavrov called for broader representation of the Global South, arguing that the Council’s composition should better reflect geographical realities.

“We are in favour of broadening the representation of Asia, Africa, and Latin America. We support Brazil’s and India’s candidatures for a permanent seat,” Lavrov said.

He added, “And at the same time, I wish to emphasise this, we must satisfy the interests of the African continent in keeping with the Israeli consensus and the SEAT declaration.”

BRICS nations, including Russia, had earlier reiterated their support for Brazil and India playing a greater role in the UN, including the Security Council, in the New Delhi declaration.

The push for Security Council reform was also prominent during the ongoing general debate at the UN headquarters, with several leaders calling for the Council to reflect present-day geopolitical and economic realities.

Mauritius gave an explicit endorsement of India’s bid. Mauritian Foreign Minister DhananjayRamful said, “We support the positions of the G4 and of L69 on Council reform, and we reiterate our support for India’s candidature for a permanent seat, commensurate with its constructive role in global affairs.”

Mauritius also endorsed the Common African Position, calling for adequate regional representation, equal rights for new permanent members and dedicated spaces for small island developing states.

Portugal also backed structural reform. Prime Minister Luis Montenegro called for a more representative Security Council with permanent representation for Africa, Brazil and India.

Support for New Delhi’s ambitions also came through the four-nation G4 alliance. Marshall Islands President Hilda Heine said, “The Marshall Islands affirms its longstanding support for Japan and its G4 partners to achieve permanent membership on the UN Security Council.”

Japanese Prime Minister SanaeTakaichi did not name individual G4 candidates in her address, but placed Security Council reform at the centre of her remarks.

“We need to transform it without delay into a structure that truly reflects the current realities of the international community,” Takaichi said.�" Z NEWS