US reaffirms support for India’s permanent UNSC seat as Quad leaders call for UN reform

The United States has reiterated its support for India’s bid for a permanent seat at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), following which the Quad leaders (US, India, Japan, and Australia) emphasized the need for comprehensive reforms to the UN body in their joint statement.

This support was reaffirmed after bilateral talks between US President Joe Biden and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the Quad summit in Wilmington, Delaware, on Saturday, September 21, attended by PM Modi, Japan’s PM Fumio Kishida and Australia’s Anthony Albanese on Sunday.

“President Biden shared with Prime Minister Modi that the United States supports initiatives to reform global institutions to reflect India’s important voice, including permanent membership for India in a reformed UN Security Council,” said the White House in a statement.

India has been pursuing a permanent seat in the UNSC for several years, highlighting its global influence, contributions to peacekeeping missions, and status as the world’s largest democracy.

Quad Joint Statement Emphasizes UNSC Reform
Quad members—India, Australia, Japan, and the United States—signed the ‘Wilmington Declaration,’ stressing the need to reform the UN Security Council to make it more representative, inclusive, transparent, efficient, effective, democratic, and accountable. They emphasized the importance of expanding the UNSC to include more representation from Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean.

“Together, with our global and regional partners, we continue to support international institutions and initiatives that underpin global peace, prosperity, and sustainable development. We reiterate our unwavering support for the UN Charter and the three pillars of the UN system,” the joint declaration stated.

“We will reform the UN Security Council, recognizing the urgent need to make it more representative, inclusive, transparent, efficient, effective, democratic, and accountable, through expansion in both permanent and non-permanent categories of membership. This expansion of permanent seats should include representation for Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean in a reformed Security Council.”

Biden had also extended support for India’s permanent UNSC membership during their bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Delhi last September. During that meeting, Biden and Modi issued a joint statement, with Biden welcoming India’s candidature for a non-permanent seat in the UNSC for 2028-29. (With inputs from agencies)

MT