At UNGA, Russia, Bhutan and BRICS rally behind India’s bid for permanent UNSC seat

United Nations Security Council at UN headquarters in New York - File Photo

Calls for reforming the United Nations Security Council gathered fresh momentum at the 80th session of the UN General Assembly in New York, with Bhutan, Russia and key BRICS members backing India’s long-standing aspiration for a permanent seat.

On Friday, Bhutan’s Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay made a direct appeal for change, describing India and Japan as “deserving nations” for permanent membership. Addressing world leaders, he urged the adoption of a more representative and effective multilateral system.

“Bhutan supports reform of the United Nations, including reform of the Security Council, expanding both permanent and non-permanent membership. A reformed Security Council must include deserving nations such as India and Japan alongside other capable and leading countries to reflect today’s complex realities,” Tobgay said.

He warned that the UN must become more inclusive and credible in the face of “a planet in a climate crisis, persistent poverty, and conflicts that shatter lives and erode trust among our nations.”

Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov reinforced that message on Saturday, declaring Moscow’s support for India’s application for a permanent seat along with Brazil. “We support the application of Brazil and India for permanent seats” on the Council, Lavrov said.

He argued that the current global balance is very different from when the UN was established 80 years ago and that reforms are essential to make the Security Council more effective and representative. With this statement, Russia remains the only permanent member of the Council openly backing India’s bid.

The backing from Bhutan and Russia builds on a wider chorus within the Global South. Mauritius Foreign Minister Dhananjay Ramful also told the Assembly, “India has now emerged as a major global player, and should have a permanent seat on the Council, commensurate with its constructive role in global affairs.”

BRICS has repeatedly called for an overhaul of the Council. Meeting on the sidelines of UNGA80 under the chairmanship of India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, BRICS foreign ministers reiterated support for the 2023 Johannesburg-II Declaration, which seeks a “more democratic, representative, effective and efficient” Security Council. China and Russia, as permanent members, have earlier affirmed that Brazil and India should play a greater role in the United Nations, including in the Council.

The United Nations Security Council currently has 15 members. Five countries -- China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States -- hold permanent membership and wield veto power. The remaining 10 seats are filled by non-permanent members elected by the UN General Assembly for staggered two-year terms.