Russia Backs India’s Bid for Permanent UN Security Council Seat

Shibbir Ahmed, New York — Russia has backed India’s bid for a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council, with Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov calling for greater representation of Asia, Africa and Latin America in the powerful UN body. Speaking during the general debate of the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York on Saturday, Lavrov said Moscow supports the candidacies of both India and Brazil for permanent membership of the Security Council.

“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, according to reports of his UNGA address. Lavrov also said Russia opposed allocating additional permanent seats to Western countries, specifically mentioning Germany and Japan. He argued that any reform of the Security Council should preserve the prerogatives of its existing permanent members while increasing representation from the Global South.

The Security Council currently has 15 members, including five permanent members — China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States — which hold veto power. The remaining 10 members are elected for two-year terms. India has for years sought a permanent seat on the Security Council as part of broader efforts to reform the UN’s principal body responsible for international peace and security. India has argued that the Council’s composition should better reflect contemporary geopolitical and economic realities.

Russia’s latest statement adds to recent international support for India’s bid. During the current UNGA session, Mauritius and Portugal also expressed support for India’s candidature, while other countries have called for broader reform of the Security Council. The issue of Security Council reform has gained renewed attention at the 81st UN General Assembly, where countries from the Global South have continued to call for greater representation in the UN’s decision-making institutions.

Russia’s position, however, distinguishes between the countries seeking permanent membership. While Moscow supports India and Brazil, Lavrov opposed additional permanent seats for Germany and Japan, according to reports of his speech. The debate over expansion of the Security Council remains subject to negotiations among UN member states, and Russia’s support for particular candidates does not itself change the Council’s membership.