Guwahati, Sept. 27 -- Russia has backed India's candidature for a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) while opposing the addition of further Western countries, particularly Germany and Japan, to the permanent membership.

Speaking during the general debate of the 81st UN General Assembly in New York on September 26, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said any reform of the Security Council should provide greater representation to Asia, Africa and Latin America.

Lavrov said Moscow supports the permanent membership bids of India and Brazil, while also calling for the interests of African countries to be addressed in any future reform of the Council.

The Russian position comes amid renewed discussions among UN ...