New Delhi Has Added Value To The Council, Russia Backs India's Permanent Seat At UNSC

Apart from Russia, the US, UK, and France have supported a permanent seat for India in the United Nations Security Council.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov

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Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has once again backed India’s candidature for permanent membership at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).  Lavrov said that New Delhi has added value to the Council with its stance on global and regional issues.  

"I think that India is currently one of the leading countries in terms of economic growth, maybe even the leader," he added, reported ANI. 

"Its population will soon be bigger than that of any other country. New Delhi has vast diplomatic experience in settling various kinds of problems, as well as authority and a reputation in its region," Lavrov said. 

The minister made these remarks during his interaction with the media at the Primakov Readings International Forum in Moscow on December 7. 

Emphasing on India’s role in the United Nations as well as in a range of integration structures in South Asia within the Shangai Cooperation Organization (SCO), he said, "India is part of a range of integration structures in South Asia within SCO & it takes an active role in United Nations." 

Lavrov said, "India is a country that not only aspires to be but is at the essence of the forming of a multipolar world as one of its most important poles".  

In September last year, while addressing the 77th United Nations General Assembly, Lavrov said that the Security Council would be more democratic if countries from Africa, Asia, and Latin America are included. "India and Brazil, in particular, are key international actors and should be counted for permanent membership in the council," he had said in his address. 

India and Brazil have been promoting their applications to join UN Security Council with Japan and Germany, which is a sign of multipolarity, the Russian foreign minister said, quoted ANI. 

"We see what added value India and Brazil can bring to UNSC knowing their stances on global & regional issues," Lavrov mentioned.  

Among the five permanent members of the 15-nation Council, the US, UK, France, and Russia have supported a permanent seat for India in the UN body.  

Earlier, UK Ambassador to the UN Barbara Woodward said, "We support the creation of new permanent seats for India, Germany, Japan, and Brazil, as well as permanent African representation on the Council."  

Deputy Permanent Representative of France to the UN has earlier said that "France's position is constant and well known. We want the Council to be more representative of today's world, in a way that further strengthens its authority and effectiveness." He made the comments while addressing the UN General Assembly plenary meeting on the 'Question of equitable representation on and increase in the membership of the Security Council and other matters related to the Security Council. 

India is currently presiding over the 15-nation Council, for the second time in its two-year tenure.  India had earlier assumed the Presidency of the UNSC in August 2021. 

India’s current two-year term as a non-permanent member of the Security Council will end in December. 

 

(With Agency Inputs)