Joe Biden reaffirms US backing for India's permanent UNSC membership

US President Joe Biden has reiterated the United States' backing for India's permanent membership in the reformed United Nations Security Council (UNSC).

Biden also reaffirmed support for India's inclusion in the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) and pledged to collaborate with like-minded partners to advance this objective.

In a joint statement issued by India and the US, both nations emphasized the importance of strengthening the multilateral system and countering any unilateral attempts to undermine it. Biden welcomed India's candidacy as a non-permanent member of the UNSC for the 2028-2029 term, acknowledging India's significant contributions to the UN system, commitment to multilateralism, and active engagement in the intergovernmental negotiation process for Security Council reforms.

The statement further highlighted the shared view that global governance should be more inclusive and representative. "Sharing the view that global governance must be more inclusive and representative, President Biden reiterated US support for India's permanent membership on a reformed UN Security Council (UNSC)," the joint statement read.

Additionally, President Biden and Prime Minister Narendra Modi underscored the critical role of nuclear energy in global decarbonization efforts and recognized it as a necessary resource for addressing climate change, energy transition, and energy security needs.

The joint statement also addressed concerns over "coercive actions and rising tensions," expressing opposition to unilateral actions that seek to change the status quo by force. Both leaders emphasized adherence to international law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and the maintenance of freedom of navigation and overflight, particularly in the East and South China Seas.

Earlier this week, Prime Minister Modi advocated for reforms in global institutions such as the United Nations to ensure greater representation of less affluent countries and address the consequences of climate change and debt reduction. He called for an evaluation of the current membership of the Security Council and suggested seeking the world's opinion on India's potential permanent membership.