Archive · 11 Aug 2026
India's permanent UNSC seat bid remains top priority, government says
The United Nations is a big group of countries that works on important world problems.
A small group inside it, called the Security Council, helps make big decisions.
A few countries have permanent seats on that council, but India does not have one.
India is a very big country and believes it deserves a permanent seat.
The Indian government told its Parliament that getting this seat is one of its top goals.
To get a seat, India needs other countries to agree.
India is talking to the US, Russia, China, the UK and France about it.
India also wants more countries, especially developing ones, to have a say.
Changing the council would require updating the United Nations' main rules.
Sweden's ambassador in India also said he thinks India deserves the seat.
The Indian government told the Lok Sabha that securing a permanent seat on an expanded United Nations Security Council (UNSC) is a top priority.
Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh said New Delhi is pursuing the issue through bilateral and multilateral channels at the highest levels.
India is engaging all five permanent UNSC members - the US, Russia, China, the UK and France - but did not directly answer whether China would support its bid.
India says it has 'all the credentials' to join a reformed UNSC and wants expansion of both permanent and non-permanent seats, with greater representation for developing countries and the Global South.
Sweden's outgoing Ambassador to India, Jan Thesleff, expressed support for India's permanent membership bid.
- Who
- The Indian government, Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh, Lok Sabha member Ramprit Mandal, and Sweden's outgoing Ambassador to India, Jan Thesleff.
- What
- India reaffirmed that securing a permanent seat on an expanded United Nations Security Council is a top priority, pursued through bilateral and multilateral diplomacy.
- When
- The response was given to a question in the Lok Sabha; the articles do not specify an exact date.
- Where
- New Delhi (India's Parliament, the Lok Sabha), with diplomatic engagement involving the five permanent UNSC members and Sweden.
- Why
- India believes it has 'all the credentials' to join a reformed, expanded UNSC that reflects present-day global realities and gives greater representation to developing countries and the Global South.
- Main development
- India told the Lok Sabha that a permanent UNSC seat is a top priority
- Responding minister
- Kirti Vardhan Singh, Minister of State for External Affairs
- Question raised by
- Lok Sabha member Ramprit Mandal
- Permanent members engaged
- US, Russia, China, UK, France
- Demand
- Expansion of permanent and non-permanent UNSC seats with more representation for developing countries and the Global South
- Legal requirement
- UNSC expansion requires an amendment to the United Nations Charter
- International support
- Sweden's outgoing Ambassador Jan Thesleff backs India's bid
- India-Sweden focus
- Defence manufacturing, innovation and strategic cooperation