India’s Push For Permanent UNSC Bid: American economist and Columbia University professor Jeffrey Sachs has strongly backed India’s long-standing demand for a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), saying no other country has as strong a claim as New Delhi.
While speaking to news agency PTI on the sidelines of the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi, Sachs said India should “absolutely” be made a permanent member of the Security Council.
“India has the strongest claim, should absolutely be a member of security council,” he said.
VIDEO | New York, USA: Renowned US economist Jeffrey Sachs makes case for New Delhi’s Permanent UNSC Seat and says, “India has the strongest claim, should absolutely be a member of security council.”
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video available on PTI Videos – https://t.co/d8jp61yd2p) pic.twitter.com/fbAEh0p3Nb
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) September 13, 2026
Sachs Cites India’s Global Influence
Sachs pointed to India’s large population, growing economy, global influence and diplomatic role as key reasons supporting its claim.
“India’s 1.5 billion people. It’s the most populous nation. It’s a superpower. It’s the world’s third largest economy in terms of purchasing power parity,” he said, while also highlighting the country’s rapid economic growth.
He also praised India’s diplomatic role, referring to its presidency of the G20 and its handling of the BRICS summit.
Calls On China To Support India
Sachs also urged India and China to work together and called on Beijing to support New Delhi’s bid for a permanent UNSC seat.
He said such cooperation would demonstrate that major countries can work together to strengthen multilateralism and reject unilateral dominance.
India’s Push For Permanent Membership
The UNSC currently has five permanent members — China, France, Russia, the UK and the US — and 10 non-permanent members. The five permanent members have veto power.
India has for years pushed for an expansion of the Council, with France, Russia, the UK and the US having supported its bid. China, however, has so far stopped short of formally backing New Delhi’s permanent membership.
