Russia backs India’s permanent UNSC bid at UNGA

Russia has endorsed India’s candidature as a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) in line with its policy to advocate for increased participation of countries from the Global South and end Western hegemony in the international security body.

Speaking at the UNGA on Saturday (September 26), Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov also advocated the recognition of Brazil as a permanent member of the UNSC.

Caution against Germany, Japan

“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.

While making a case for the Global South, Lavrov also warned against the allocation of additional 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,” he said.

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Mauritian Foreign Minister Dhananjay Ramful also endorsed India’s bid for a permanent seat.

“We support the positions of the G4 and L69 on Council reforms, and we reiterate our support for India’s candidature for a permanent seat, commensurate with its constructive role in global affairs,” Ramful said.

Who qualifies for a permanent seat?

The UN’s top security body has 15 members, including five with veto powers – the US, the UK, China, France and Russia. The other 10 non-permanent members are elected for a term of two years.

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Changing the UN Charter to add any country as a permanent member requires a two-thirds majority in the UNGA and formal ratification by two-thirds of member states, including all five permanent members.

Even though Russia supports India’s membership bid, other permanent members have mixed views, with China especially opposed to the proposition.