The 79th United Nations General Assembly saw a growing chorus for reforming the UN Security Council. In this regard, world leaders now come forward strongly in support of its expansion of permanent membership.
Indeed, the leaders of France, Russia, the United States, Portugal, and the United Kingdom have expressed their support for India’s candidature for a permanent seat. The Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations tweeted an interesting video on X showing endorsements from those leaders. They termed India a “buzzword” at #UNGA79 and thanked their friends and partners for their support.
In one of the moments of the event, the President of Angola Joao Lourenco pointed out that the UN Security Council is in pressing need of reform, which finally would give a “voice” to what they call the Global South other words, to Africa, Latin America, the Middle East, and the Indian subcontinent.
Chile’s President Gabriel Boric went even a step further when he pointed out a date for the reform. “When the UN turns 80 years old, we are going to celebrate it with a Security Council that will have Brazil, will have India, and at least one country from Africa.” It was a way of giving notice that the desire to change is collective.
France’s President Emmanuel Macron supported the expansion. He declared, “France is in favor of the Security Council being expanded. Germany, Japan, India, and Brazil should be permanent members.” That statement underlined the strong European support for the candidature of India.
Echoing similar views is Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, who said, “We support our position in favor of the candidatures of Brazil and India.” The growing momentum is accordingly accentuated among the major powers.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken called for better representation to take center stage. The secretary said, “Reforming the UN Security Council should include two permanent seats for Africa, and permanent representation for Latin America and the Caribbean, in addition to India, Germany, and Japan.”
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Portugal’s Prime Minister Luis Montenegro also supported the expansion. The President of Micronesia Wesley Simina and Bhutan’s Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay hailed India as a candidate. Starmer hinted that “The representation on the council should include Brazil, India, Japan, and Germany as permanent members.”
Tobgay said, “India has been with us right from the beginning of the development journey and is unfailing in support and friendship.
Many other representatives had valuable discussions during the assembly. The general debate for the 79th session began September 24 and concluded September 30. The theme for this session was “Leaving no one behind: acting together for the advancement of peace, sustainable development. And human dignity for present and future generations,” according to a press statement from the UN.
This strong support for India surely points to the growing recognition of its role on the global stage.
ANI
