India and Russia Hold Key UN Meeting on Peace and UNSC Reform

New Delhi, March 17: India and Russia convened their seventh consultative meeting on the United Nations in New Delhi on Tuesday. The discussions focused on counter-terrorism efforts, peacekeeping, and issues related to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).

The meeting was co-chaired by Siby George, Secretary (West) of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), and Alexander Alimov, Deputy Foreign Minister of Russia. Also present were Denis Alipov, the Russian Ambassador to India, and other officials.

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal shared on the social media platform ‘X’ that both sides exchanged their priorities regarding the UN. The agenda centered on the UNSC, particularly addressing counter-terrorism, peacekeeping, and UNSC reform.

Russia has previously advocated for India, Brazil, and African nations to gain permanent membership in the UNSC to enhance global representation.

Last month, Siby George met with Alexander Alimov in New Delhi during the AI Impact Summit.

In December, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed the need for comprehensive reform of the UNSC during the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit in New Delhi. Both leaders emphasized the necessity for the UNSC to be more representative, effective, and capable in light of current global circumstances.

Russia reiterated its support for India’s permanent membership in the UNSC. The leaders called for a zero-tolerance policy against terrorism and stressed the importance of finalizing and adopting a comprehensive convention on international terrorism within the UN framework.

They also discussed implementing proposals from the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) and the UNSC to combat terrorism and its associated impacts.

A joint statement highlighted that both parties appealed for a rigorous fight against all forms and expressions of international terrorism and extremism, without compromise. They underscored the need to enhance cooperation in this area based on international law and the UN Charter, free from hidden agendas or double standards.