Brazil’s Lula renews call for UN Security Council expansion in India visit
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva on Saturday renewed his call for an expanded and reformed United Nations Security Council, describing Brazil and India as “natural candidates” for permanent seats.
Ahead of talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Lula said reform of the UN — particularly the Security Council — is essential to restore legitimacy and effectiveness to global governance at a time of mounting geopolitical tensions.
“For over 20 years, Brazil, India, Japan and Germany have defended the increase of the UN Security Council,” Lula said, referring to the G4 bloc. “The UN needs more representation.”
The G4 proposal calls for expanding the 15-member Council to 25 seats, adding six permanent and four non-permanent members to better reflect contemporary geopolitical realities.
Lula argued that expanding both permanent and non-permanent categories of membership is necessary for a more credible multilateral system, adding that Brazil and India should be part of any reconfigured Council.
Framing the bilateral meeting as more than routine diplomacy, Lula described India and Brazil as the two largest democracies in the Global South and as emerging superpowers in their respective domains.
“This is a meeting of superlatives,” Lula said. “We are both mega diverse countries and hubs of the cultural industry and we both defend multilateralism and peace.”
He said closer coordination between New Delhi and Brasília would not only strengthen bilateral ties but also amplify the voice of developing nations in global forums, including the UN, the World Trade Organization and the G20.
Lula also emphasized a shared commitment to multilateralism, dialogue and peace, warning that sustainable development cannot be achieved in a conflict-ridden world.
By elevating their partnership and pressing for Security Council reform, Lula signaled efforts to consolidate India and Brazil’s roles as leading voices for a more assertive Global South.
"India and Brazil's partnership on the global stage has been strong and influential,” he said. “As democratic nations, we will continue to advance the priorities and aspirations of the Global South.”
“When India and Brazil work together, the voice of the Global South becomes stronger and more confident,” he added.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
