After US and France, UK backs India's bid for permanent UN Security Council seat

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Thursday backed India for a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) during his address at the United Nations General Assembly's 79th session in New York.

In Short

• UK PM said UNSC needs to be more representative
• US and France have earlier supported India's addition as permanent member of UNSC
• Currently, UNSC has 5 permanent, 10 non-permanent members

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, in his address at the 79th session of the UN General Assembly on Thursday, voiced support for Indian representation, as a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). This follows similar calls from US President Joe Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron for India's inclusion.

Addressing the General Assembly, the UK Prime Minister said that “the Security Council has to change to become a more representative body, willing to act – not paralysed by politics”.

“We want to see permanent African representation on the Council, Brazil, India, Japan and Germany as permanent members, and more seats for elected members as well”, said the UK PM.

The development comes a day after US President Joe Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron batted for India's addition as a permanent member of the UNSC.

Currently, the United Nations Security Council consists of five permanent members and 10 non-permanent members. The non-permanent members are elected by the United Nations General Assembly for a two-year term. The five permanent members—Russia, the United Kingdom, China, France, and the United States—hold the power to veto any substantive resolution.

Earlier on Wednesday, French President Emmanuel Macron advocated for India’s inclusion as a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) during his address at the UN General Assembly.

He also endorsed the membership of Brazil, Japan, Germany, and two African nations, emphasising the need to make the UNSC more inclusive and representative. Macron stated, "Let's make the UN more efficient. We need to make it more representative and that's why France is in favour of the Security Council being expanded. Germany, Japan, India, and Brazil should be permanent members, along with two countries that Africa will decide to represent them".

Last week, US President Joe Biden expressed support for India's bid for a permanent seat on the UN Security Council.

During the Quad Leaders' Summit, leaders of the Quad (US, India, Japan, and Australia) emphasised the need for comprehensive reforms of the UN body in a joint statement.

This followed bilateral talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Biden on September 21 in Wilmington, Delaware, where Biden reaffirmed the US’s backing for India's inclusion in a reformed Security Council, according to a White House statement.