Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has reiterated Russia’s support for India’s permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), claiming that New Delhi has positively contributed to the Council through 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; its population will soon be bigger than that of any other country; and New Delhi has vast diplomatic experience in settling various types of problems, as well as authority and a reputation in its region,” Lavrov said.
On December 7, Lavrov made these statements in response to media questions at the Primakov Readings International Forum in Moscow.
He stated that India is involved in the United Nations and a variety of South Asian integration bodies such as the Shangai Cooperation Organization (SCO).
Previously, Lavrov stated at the 77th United Nations General Assembly in September this year that including countries from Africa, Asia, and Latin America on the Security Council would make it more democratic.
“India is part of a range of integration structures in South Asia within SCO and it takes an active role in United Nations. 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,” Lavrov said in his address.
India and Brazil have been pressing their applications to join the UN Security Council alongside Japan and Germany, which the Russian foreign minister saw as a symbol of multipolarity.
The United States, the United Kingdom, France, and Russia, four of five of the Council’s permanent members, have all backed a permanent seat for India in the UN body.
The current two-year term of India as a non-permanent member of the Security Council expires in December. The 15-nation Council is currently presided over by India.
India has assumed the Presidency of the UN Security Council for the second time in its two-year tenure as an elected member of the Council. India had previously acquired the UN Security Council Presidency in August 2021.
