Russia backs India’s permanent seat bid at UN Security Council

Mangalore Today News Network

New York, Sep 27, 2026: Russia has reiterated its support for India’s bid for a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), with Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov calling for greater representation of Asia, Africa and Latin America.

Addressing the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York on Saturday, Lavrov said Russia supports the permanent candidatures of both 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,” he said.

Lavrov opposed adding more Western countries to the permanent membership, specifically referring to Germany and Japan. He said UNSC reform should not involve additional seats for Western countries.

He also stressed that any reform should preserve the existing permanent members’ powers and prerogatives.

Mauritian Foreign Minister Dhananjay Ramful also backed India’s candidature, saying Mauritius supports the G4 and L69 positions on Security Council reform and India’s bid for a permanent seat.

The UNSC currently has 15 members, including five permanent members — China, France, Russia, the UK and the US — with veto powers, and 10 non-permanent members elected for two-year terms.

Reforming the Council requires amendments to the UN Charter, including approval by two-thirds of the General Assembly and ratification by two-thirds of UN member states, including all five permanent members.