India (Commonwealth Union)_ Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed his endorsement for India’s pursuit of a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), emphasizing the need to augment the influence and representation of India, Brazil, and South Africa in the global decision-making arena. Speaking at the Valdai International Discussion Club’s plenary meeting in Sochi, Putin acknowledged the growing power of India under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, citing its substantial population, impressive economic growth of over seven percent, and the nation’s increasing prominence on the world stage.
Further, Putin underscored the significance of nations that wield considerable influence in international affairs, primarily due to their potential and capacity to address critical global issues, being given a place on the UNSC. Putin said, “Such countries that acquire significant weight in international affairs simply by virtue of their potential and also have the possibility and influence of settling key international issues should be represented in the UN Security Council”. He added, “What countries are these? This is India: the population is already more than one and a half billion people, (with) seven-plus percent economic growth. This is a powerful country. It is becoming more powerful year after year under the leadership of Prime Minister [Narendra] Modi”.
India, as the world’s most populous nation, has been at the forefront of an extensive campaign to reform the UNSC, contending that it rightfully merits a permanent seat at the United Nations’ highest decision-making body. The current composition of the UNSC, they argue, fails to adequately represent the geopolitical realities of the 21st century. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar recently invoked India’s successful initiative at the G20 Summit, where the admission of the African Union as a permanent member was achieved, urging the United Nations to draw inspiration from this accomplishment in order to modernize the Security Council.
During his address to the 78th UN General Assembly session in New York on September 26, Jaishankar emphasized the significance of the African Union’s inclusion in the G20 as a major step. He called for the United Nations, an organization of considerable age, to take cues from this step towards reform and contemporaryize the Security Council, underscoring that a broader spectrum of representation is indispensable for ensuring both its effectiveness and credibility. Jaishankar said, “This significant step in reform should inspire the United Nations, a much older organization, to also make the Security Council contemporary. Broad representation is a pre-requisite for both effectiveness and credibility”.
Putin’s endorsement extends beyond India to also include Brazil and South Africa, recognizing the vast populations and substantial influence these nations wield in their respective regions. He stressed the necessity of these countries playing an augmented role in shaping key international decisions. Putin said, “Brazil in Latin America: the population is huge, and the growth in influence is colossal. South Africa. Well, how can their influence in the world be disregarded? So, their weight in making key decisions on the international agenda should also grow”. Currently, the UNSC comprises five permanent members and ten non-permanent member nations, which are elected for two-year terms by the UN General Assembly. The five permanent members of the UNSC are Russia, China, France, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
