Russia has reiterated its support for India’s bid for permanent membership of the United Nations Security Council, while drawing a distinction between India and Brazil and the other two members of the G4 grouping, Germany and Japan.
Speaking during the 81st United Nations General Assembly, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Security Council reform should give greater representation to Asia, Africa and Latin America. He said Moscow supports India and Brazil as candidates for permanent seats and opposed adding Western countries, specifically mentioning Germany and Japan.
The statement provides diplomatic backing for India’s campaign to secure a permanent place on the Council. Russia, one of the five permanent members with veto power, has supported India’s candidature. Portugal and Mauritius have expressed support for India during the UN General Assembly discussions.
The Security Council has 15 members: five permanent members—China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States—and 10 non-permanent members elected for two-year terms. India has served eight times as an elected member, most recently in 2021 and 2022.
India, Brazil, Germany and Japan coordinate their campaign through the G4, seeking expansion of both permanent and non-permanent membership. In a joint statement on September 22, the four countries called for Security Council reform.
However, Moscow’s latest position does not endorse all four G4 candidates equally. It supports India and Brazil while opposing additional Western permanent seats for Germany and Japan. Any change to the Council’s composition would require agreement through the UN’s intergovernmental reform process and approval by member states.
