Kuwait’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations and Co-Chair of the Intergovernmental Negotiations (IGN), Tareq Albanai, has expressed support for India’s bid for permanent membership in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). He referred to India as a “main player on the world stage” and emphasized that India would be a strong contender if the Council were to be expanded.

Addressing a press briefing on the status of the UN General Assembly’s Intergovernmental Negotiations on Security Council reform on Thursday, Albanai recalled his visit to India with fellow Co-Chair Alex Marschik. Kuwait and Austria currently co-chair the Intergovernmental Negotiations on UNSC reform.

When asked what must be ensured for UNSC reform to take place, Albanai said, “I had the pleasure last year, along with my distinguished co-chair Axel Marschik, to visit India and engage in high-level discussions. The goal of a reformed council must be to ensure representativeness. India is undoubtedly a major player on the global stage today. But we must also consider the views of all 193 member states.”

He added, “If the decision is made to expand the Council to anywhere between 21 to 27 members, India will surely be a strong contender. However, this will ultimately be subject to the consensus of the wider UN membership.”

Earlier, on April 1, the French Embassy in India reiterated its support for India’s permanent seat on the UNSC. As France assumed the monthly presidency of the Council, it pledged to prioritize discussions on global peace, security, and humanitarian concerns, while also advocating for UNSC reform.

In a post on X, the Embassy said: “Today, France assumes the monthly presidency of @UN Security Council. It will steer key discussions on global peace and security with a focus on humanitarian impacts. To reflect today’s world, France reiterates the need for a #UNSC reform that also gives India a permanent seat.”

India has long sought a permanent seat on the Security Council to better represent the interests of the developing world. This ambition has been gaining support from several influential nations in recent years.

The United Nations Security Council currently comprises 15 member states: five permanent members with veto power (China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States), and ten non-permanent members elected for two-year terms by the UN General Assembly.

(ANI)