At the 13th meeting of the India-Russia Joint Working Group (JWG) on Counter-Terrorism Cooperation held in Moscow on December 19 and 20, Russia announced its support for India’s bid to become a permanent member of the reformed United Nations Security Council. was reiterated.
During the talks, the two countries also agreed to step up joint efforts in the fight against radicalization and terrorist financing.
“At the 13th JWG on counter-terrorism, the two countries will share experience in counter-terrorism, including cross-border terrorism and extremism, and seek cooperation to address the issues of radicalization and terrorist financing,” the MEA said in a statement. We agreed to strengthen it.” .
The discussion also focused on current global and regional terrorist threats and the misuse of emerging technologies for terrorist purposes.
MEA Secretary (West) Tanmaya Lal led the Indian delegation during the JWG and UN-related consultations on counter-terrorism cooperation. The Russian delegation was headed by Sergei Vershinin, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, and representatives of various ministries of both countries participated in the meeting.
On December 19, Mr. Lall also met with Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin to discuss pressing international and regional issues, including the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Russia’s reaffirmation of its support for India’s permanent seat on the Security Council follows similar support from world leaders. Earlier this year, UK Labor Party leader Keir Starmer expressed support for India’s bid, in line with statements by US President Joe Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron.
President Macron advocated for the expansion of the Security Council, calling for permanent seats for India, Brazil, Japan, Germany and two African countries to improve efficiency and representativeness.
Currently, the Security Council is made up of five permanent members: the United States, China, France, Russia, and the United Kingdom, and these permanent members exercise veto power. Ten non-permanent members are elected for two-year terms.
India, which served as a non-permanent member from 2021 to 2022, continues to argue that it deserves permanent membership given its growing geopolitical influence and contribution to global peacekeeping operations.
