Portugal, Mauritius back India for permanent UNSC seat
NATIONAL / WORLD: India's efforts to secure a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) have gained renewed backing during the 81st General Assembly convened in New York. Portugal and Mauritius openly supported New Delhi's bid amidst widespread calls for reforming the Security Council to better mirror current geopolitical dynamics.
Portuguese Prime Minister Luis Montenegro stressed the need for a more representative Security Council, specifically advocating for India's inclusion as a permanent member. Mauritian Foreign Minister Dhananjay Ramful explicitly endorsed India's candidacy acknowledging its constructive role in global affairs.
Indirect support was also voiced by Marshall Islands President Hilda Heine, who highlighted the G4 Grouping—comprising India, Brazil, Germany and Japan— further endorsing India's aspirations.
At present the UNSC is comprised of five permanent members endowed with veto power (China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States) and 10 elected members serving two-year terms. Any alterations to the Council's makeup necessitate a two-thirds majority approval from the General Assembly alongside ratification from two-thirds of UN member states that includes all five permanent members.