Russia Backs India and Brazil for Permanent UNSC Seats at UNGA
At the 79th UN General Assembly, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov supported India’s and Brazil’s bids for permanent seats on the United Nations Security Council, highlighting the need for better representation of the Global South. He criticized Western nations for their sanctions policies and the use of the dollar as a weapon, while dismissing Ukrainian President Zelenskyy’s peace proposals as unattainable. Lavrov’s stance indicates a significant shift towards a more equitable international governance framework.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov reaffirmed his country’s endorsement of India and Brazil’s aspirations for permanent representation on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) in his speech at the 79th United Nations General Assembly. He emphasized the necessity of establishing a “fairer world order” which coincides with the inclusion of more Global South nations in the UNSC. During his address, Lavrov indicated, “We support our position in favour of the candidacies of Brazil and India, while at the same time taking a positive decision on the well-known initiatives of the African Union. However, of course, we cannot even talk about any additional seats for Western countries, who are already excessively over-represented within the Security Council.” He pointed out that India, which has long sought a permanent seat, now enjoys broader global support, including from Bhutan’s Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay, who echoed his support for India’s bid. Moreover, Lavrov criticized the Western nations for undermining globalization’s principles by imposing sanctions and wielding the dollar as a tool for coercion. He remarked on the contradiction between the West’s proclaimed commitment to global cooperation and their actions that seem to contradict these values: “…what global cooperation can we really talk about at a time when the West has trampled all of these unshakeable values of globalisation that they have been telling us about for so many years…” Additionally, he dismissed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s peace initiative as “hopeless,” urging Russia’s partners to consider the facts surrounding the ongoing conflict. This highlights Lavrov’s call for a reevaluation of global governance and the reiterated necessity for representation of the Global South on international platforms.
The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) is one of the six principal organs of the United Nations charged with ensuring international peace and security. The current structure of the UNSC has been a point of contention, particularly regarding the representation of developing countries. India and Brazil, two major emerging economies, have long sought permanent seats to better advocate for the interests of the Global South. Russia’s backing of their candidacies reflects geopolitical alliances and the desire for a restructured power dynamic within the Council that accounts for broader representation of non-Western nations. Lavrov’s remarks also occurred within a context of rising tensions between Western nations and those of the Global South, particularly in light of sanctions and economic coercion led by the West.
In conclusion, Sergey Lavrov’s support for India and Brazil’s bids for permanent UNSC seats underscores a significant push towards the inclusion of Global South nations in international governance discussions. His critique of the West’s policies and the advocacy for a rebalanced representation in the UNSC reflects a broader aspiration for a more equitable global order. As nations advocate for these changes, the dialogue surrounding the structure of international institutions continues to evolve, illustrating the complexities of modern diplomacy.
Original Source: www.business-standard.com