UN, UNSC must reflect contemporary realities, respond to challenges and threats: India, Russia

Emphasizing that the establishment of a multi-polar global order in international relations is a reflection of the natural and inevitable process of evolution of inter-state relations in the 21st century, India and Russia on Thursday reiterated their commitment to enhance collaboration to democratize the system of international relations based on the principles of the rule of law and the central role of the United Nations.

"We believe there is a need to reform the United Nations and in particular, the United Nations Security Council to make it more representative of contemporary realities and to respond more effectively to emerging challenges and threats," Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Vladimir Putin said in the St. Petersburg Declaration announced today.

President Putin said, "Russia reaffirms its strong support to India's candidature for a permanent seat in a reformed United Nations Security Council. We will support the advancement of a positive unifying global agenda, effectively engage in international efforts to strengthen peace and ensure global and regional stability and security, confront challenges and threats, and actively promote just and coordinated approaches to crisis resolution."

Leaders of the two countries further stated that, "We will work to foster the democratization and reform of global political, economic, financial and social institutions, for them to better accommodate the interests of all members of the international community."

They added that they were opposed any recourse to unilateralism or lack of respect to sovereignty, ignoring the core concerns and legitimate interests of the countries.

"In particular, we do not accept the unilateral use of political and economic sanctions as a means of exerting pressure. We intend to further build up fruitful cooperation within BRICS, which, as a result of our joint efforts, enhances consistently its authoritative and influential role in global affairs," the declaration said.

"We will continue to develop cooperation within other multilateral forums and organizations, including the WTO, G20 and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, as well as Russia-India-China cooperation. India's full membership in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization will considerably enhance the organization's capabilities to ensure peace and stability, achieve economic development and prosperity in Eurasia and the Asia-Pacific region, as well as improve the Organization's international standing," the declaration added.

As regards efforts to build an open, well-balanced and inclusive security architecture in the Asia-Pacific region, both leaders said that this architecture would be based "on shared principles and taking into account the legitimate interests of all states of the region, including through the development of relevant dialogue in the framework of the East Asia Summit."

India and Russia also committed to further coordinate their respective positions on the challenging issues of restoration of peace and stability in the Middle East and North Africa, settlement of the Syrian crisis, achievement of national reconciliation in Afghanistan, including in the agreed framework of the Moscow Dialogue.

Both leaders said that this would be based on the use of laid down principles of national sovereignty and non-interference in internal affairs, while encouraging the countries to lead the change from within.