Russia Officially Backs India's Permanent UNSC Seat Bid: Lavrov Calls for Reformed Security Council

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov (File)

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov emphasized Saturday the urgent necessity for United Nations Security Council reform to accurately reflect the current global power dynamics. He explicitly stated Russia's support for India's bid for a permanent seat, alongside Brazil, to enhance representation from underrepresented regions including Asia, Africa, and Latin America.

Lavrov clearly articulated that Moscow "supports the application of Brazil and India for permanent seats" on the Council. This declaration positions Russia as the only current permanent UNSC member to officially endorse India's permanent membership aspirations.

In his address, Lavrov highlighted that today's global balance of power differs significantly from when the UN was founded eight decades ago, making structural reforms essential for ensuring the Security Council remains effective and truly representative.

Recently, both Mauritius and Bhutan have also voiced strong support for India's long-standing candidacy. Mauritius Foreign Minister Dhananjay Ramful addressed the Assembly stating, "India has now emerged as a major global player, and should have a permanent seat on the Council, commensurate with its constructive role in global affairs."

Bhutan's Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay similarly advocated for India's inclusion, noting "A reformed UNSC must include deserving nations such as India and Japan."

During his UNGA remarks, Lavrov also highlighted the significance of multilateral forums like SCO and BRICS in formulating collective positions representing the Global South. He noted these organizations "play a special role as mechanisms for coordinating the interests of the developing world."

UNSC reform has emerged as a central theme at this year's General Assembly. On Friday, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar chaired a BRICS foreign ministers' meeting on the UNGA sidelines. The resulting joint statement reaffirmed support for the 2023 Johannesburg-II Declaration, which advocates for comprehensive Council reform to create a "more democratic, representative, effective and efficient" body.

China and Russia, both permanent UNSC members, had previously acknowledged in BRICS declarations that Brazil and India should assume greater roles within the United Nations, specifically including the Security Council.

India has consistently advocated for UNSC reform for decades, maintaining that the Council's current structure fails to reflect contemporary global realities and power distributions.