At UNGA, Russia Supports India’s Bid For Permanent UNSC Seat

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has backed India’s candidature for a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council, while opposing additional permanent seats for Western countries such as Germany and Japan.

Addressing the 81st UN General Assembly in New York, Lavrov said Russia supported expanding representation from Asia, Africa and Latin America, specifically endorsing the bids of India and Brazil.

“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.

Russia Opposes More Western Seats

Lavrov said any reform of the Security Council should preserve the prerogatives of its existing permanent members and should not result in additional permanent seats for Western countries.

He specifically criticised proposals involving Germany and Japan, accusing them of moving towards “militarism and revanchism,” according to reports.

The Security Council currently has five permanent members — China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States — along with 10 non-permanent members elected for two-year terms.

Any amendment to the UN Charter requires approval by a two-thirds majority of the General Assembly and ratification by two-thirds of UN member states, including all five permanent members.

Push For Greater Global South Representation

Lavrov also called for greater representation of the Global South, particularly Africa, in the Security Council.

Russia’s position comes as India, Brazil, Germany and Japan — the four members of the G4 — continue to push for expansion of both the permanent and non-permanent categories of Security Council membership. The G4 foreign ministers reiterated that position at a meeting in New York on September 22.

The grouping has also called for greater representation for underrepresented regions, including Africa, Asia-Pacific and Latin America and the Caribbean.

India Gets Backing From Other Countries

India’s bid also received support from Mauritius during the UN General Assembly debate.

Mauritian Foreign Minister Dhananjay Ramful said his country supported the G4 and L69 positions on Security Council reform and reiterated its backing for India’s candidature for a permanent seat.

Portugal has also called for a more representative Security Council, including permanent representation for Africa, Brazil and India.

The Marshall Islands, meanwhile, reaffirmed its support for Japan and its G4 partners.

The latest statements come amid renewed debate over reforming the Security Council, with member states pushing for a structure that better reflects current geopolitical and economic realities.