India to discuss UN Security Council seat with Pres Ali, hopes for Guyana’s support

India is expected to raise its bid for a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) during high-level discussions with President Dr Irfaan Ali.
This was confirmed by Indian Member of Parliament, Dr Shashi Tharoor, who is currently in Guyana leading a parliamentary delegation.
Speaking at a media interaction on the second day of the delegation’s visit, Dr Tharoor underscored the significance of Guyana’s current role as a non-permanent member of the UNSC, stating that the country’s voice carries weight on global peace and security matters.

“Guyana’s importance to us is because it’s Guyana, but there’s certainly the additional element that it is a member of the Security Council, and as such, its voice is heard when the 15 members of the council are formulating a response to any incident involving international peace and security under which obviously our recent troubles qualify,” Dr Tharoor said.
Tharoor revealed that while a brief courtesy meeting was held with President Ali during Guyana’s Independence Day celebrations, more substantive talks are scheduled, during which India will formally seek Guyana’s support for its campaign to secure a permanent seat on the Council. India has long advocated for reform of the UNSC to reflect current global realities, pushing for the inclusion of countries like itself with growing geopolitical and economic influence.
“But I don’t want to presume as an outsider what any sovereign country will do. All I can say is we will request the President of Guyana and the Foreign Minister to convey to their delegation how much importance and value we attach to their constructive assistance on ensuring that the world in the voice of the UN Security Council stands up against terror and for its victims, as well as frankly, against those who would shield, guide, finance, arm, equip and direct these terrorists who have been sent against our country,” he added.
He cited recent examples, including Guyana’s role in supporting a UN Security Council statement condemning a terrorist attack in Pulwama, Kashmir, as evidence of Guyana’s principled stance on international security. “Guyana’s was one of the voices reflected in the language and strong support given to India,” he noted.
India’s request also includes support for stronger action against states that provide safe haven or logistical support to terrorist networks, reinforcing India’s position that the global fight against terrorism must include political will and multilateral cooperation at the highest levels.
India is not a permanent member of the UNSC, but it has played an active and recurring role through its election as a non-permanent member. India served on the Council for the 2021–2022 term, marking its eighth time holding such a position. The five permanent members of the Council – China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom (UK), and the US – hold veto power, which India, as a non-permanent member, does not possess.
India has been elected as a non-permanent member of the UNSC on eight occasions in 1950–51, 1967–68, 1972–73, 1977–78, 1984–85, 1991–92, 2011–12, and 2021–22.
India has consistently advocated for reform of the UNSC, including the expansion of both permanent and non-permanent membership to reflect current global realities.