India Should Become a Permanent Member of UNSC: Russia

Russia has voiced strong support for India’s permanent membership in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), joining a growing chorus of nations calling for a significant reform of the world’s most powerful international body.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, in a recent interview with the state-owned TASS news agency, emphasized that countries like India, Brazil, and African nations should be represented on a permanent basis. This demand for expanded representation reflects a growing recognition of India’s global importance and the desire for a more balanced international power structure.

The push for India’s inclusion has been echoed by other prominent countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and France. With such broad support, the case for India’s permanent membership is stronger than ever.

The Call for Representation of the Global Majority

The current structure of the UNSC, with its five permanent members – the United States, Russia, China, France, and the United Kingdom – reflects the power dynamics of a post-World War II era. However, the world has changed dramatically since then, and there is a growing sense that the Security Council is no longer representative of the global community.

The inclusion of new permanent members, particularly from the developing world, is essential to ensure the Council’s legitimacy and effectiveness in addressing modern global challenges.

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Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov pointed out that the current composition of the UNSC does not reflect the realities of the 21st century. Countries like India, Brazil, and African nations represent significant portions of the world’s population and have substantial influence in global affairs.

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According to Lavrov, their exclusion from the Council undermines the principle of equitable representation, leaving the UNSC with a power imbalance that favors the few over the many. India, with a population of over 1.4 billion people, has emerged as a key player in global diplomacy, economics, and security. It is the world’s most populous democracy and a rapidly growing economy.

Moreover, India’s contributions to UN peacekeeping missions, its strong commitment to international law, and its active role in addressing global issues like climate change and terrorism make it an essential candidate for permanent UNSC membership. The inclusion of countries like India would reflect a shift towards a more inclusive and equitable global governance system, where the voices of the Global South are heard and respected.

Broad International Support for India’s Membership

The demand for India’s permanent membership in the UNSC is not just coming from Russia. In recent years, several other major global powers have also voiced their support. At the United Nations General Assembly’s high-level meeting last month, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed strong backing for India’s inclusion as a permanent member of a reformed Security Council.

He also emphasized the importance of including African nations, Brazil, Japan, and Germany, as well as expanding the number of elected members to make the body more representative.

The UK’s support is particularly noteworthy, as it is one of the five permanent members of the UNSC. This endorsement adds weight to the argument for reform and demonstrates that even within the existing permanent membership, there is a recognition of the need for change. France, another permanent member, has similarly backed India’s bid for a permanent seat, along with other countries such as Chile, Micronesia, and Portugal.

One of the most significant endorsements for India’s UNSC bid comes from the United States. As the world’s largest economy and one of the most powerful countries, U.S. support is crucial in any potential reform of the Security Council.

Successive U.S. administrations have recognized India’s growing global role and have advocated for its inclusion as a permanent member. The U.S. views India as a strategic partner in maintaining stability in the Indo-Pacific region and addressing global challenges such as climate change, terrorism, and cybersecurity.

The growing consensus among major powers in favor of India’s permanent membership reflects a broader recognition of India’s contributions to global governance. India’s leadership in multilateral forums, its robust diplomatic network, and its strong advocacy for a rules-based international order make it an ideal candidate for a permanent seat on the UNSC. Moreover, India’s status as a nuclear power and its growing military capabilities further bolster its case for inclusion.

While the support for India’s permanent membership is strong, there are significant challenges that remain in the path toward UNSC reform. The process of expanding the Council’s permanent membership requires a two-thirds majority vote in the UN General Assembly and the agreement of all five current permanent members.

This means that any proposed reforms could be vetoed by one or more of the existing permanent members, making the process highly complex and politically sensitive.

China, in particular, poses a potential obstacle to India’s bid. As a neighboring country with a history of border disputes and geopolitical rivalry, China may be reluctant to support India’s inclusion as a permanent member.

China’s position on this issue has remained ambiguous, with Chinese officials often expressing support for UNSC reform in principle but refraining from explicitly endorsing India’s candidacy. Given China’s veto power, any move towards expanding the UNSC will likely require delicate diplomacy and negotiations.

In addition to the geopolitical challenges, there are also procedural and structural hurdles to overcome. The UNSC’s existing framework was established under the UN Charter, and any amendments to this document require the approval of the Security Council itself.

Reforming such an entrenched system is inherently difficult, as it requires not only the political will of the member states but also a consensus on how to balance the interests of the new and existing members.

Despite these challenges, there are significant opportunities for India to leverage its growing international stature to push for UNSC reform. India has been a non-permanent member of the Security Council on multiple occasions, most recently in 2021-2022, where it played a key role in addressing global security issues.

Its participation in the G20, BRICS, and other multilateral forums further demonstrates its commitment to multilateralism and its ability to engage with diverse partners on global issues.

India’s strong relationships with major powers like Russia, the United States, and France, coupled with its leadership in the Global South, position it as a natural candidate for a permanent UNSC seat.

Moreover, India’s emphasis on issues such as climate action, sustainable development, and counter-terrorism resonates with the broader international community, making it a valuable partner in addressing the world’s most pressing challenges.

Russia’s call for India to become a permanent member of the UNSC reflects a broader recognition of the need for reform in global governance. With growing international support from key global powers, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and France, India’s candidacy for a permanent seat is stronger than ever.

However, significant challenges remain, particularly with regard to China’s stance and the complexities of reforming the UNSC’s existing framework.

Nevertheless, India’s growing global influence, its contributions to international peace and security, and its leadership in addressing global challenges make it a compelling candidate for permanent membership. As the world moves towards a more multipolar order, the inclusion of India in the UNSC is not just a matter of fairness but also of necessity.

A more inclusive and representative Security Council would be better equipped to address the complex challenges of the 21st century and ensure that the voices of the global majority are heard on the world stage.