Archive · 8 Sep 2026
Luxembourg Backs India’s Permanent Seat, Urges UN Veto Reform
Luxembourg’s foreign minister said India should have a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council.
He said India is too important and large to remain outside the permanent group.
He also mentioned Brazil as a country that should receive consideration.
The Security Council has five permanent members with veto power, according to the report’s discussion of the system.
A veto lets one country stop a decision supported by other countries.
Xavier Bettel called this system an old leftover from the Second World War.
He suggested that two-thirds of the Council should be able to overrule a veto.
India says the Council should better represent today’s world and developing countries.
Luxembourg Deputy Prime Minister Xavier Bettel backed India’s bid for a permanent United Nations Security Council seat.
Bettel said India’s size, importance and growing global role justify its inclusion in an expanded Council.
He also cited Brazil as another major country that currently lacks permanent representation.
Bettel called the veto system a relic of the Second World War and proposed allowing a two-thirds majority to overrule a veto.
India is seeking expansion of both permanent and non-permanent Council membership, with greater representation for developing countries and the Global South.
- Who
- Luxembourg Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Xavier Bettel backed India’s bid, while India continues to advocate for reform.
- What
- Bettel supported India receiving a permanent United Nations Security Council seat and called for changes to the veto system.
- When
- During Bettel’s three-day official visit to India from September 7 to September 9; India also raised the issue at a Security Council debate on August 19.
- Where
- India, with Bettel also scheduled to visit Chennai and IIT Madras.
- Why
- To make the Security Council more representative of current geopolitical realities and give greater representation to developing countries and the Global South.
- Key supporter
- Xavier Bettel, Luxembourg’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister
- India’s proposal
- A permanent seat on an expanded United Nations Security Council
- Other country mentioned
- Brazil was also cited as lacking permanent representation
- Veto criticism
- Bettel described the veto system as a relic of the Second World War
- Proposed veto change
- A two-thirds majority should be able to overrule a veto
- India’s reform position
- Expansion of both permanent and non-permanent membership categories
- India’s stated goal
- Greater representation for developing countries and the Global South