Panama City [Panama], May 29 (ANI): In a significant diplomatic endorsement, Panama’s Foreign Minister Javier Martinez Acha declared his country’s support for India’s quest for a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). The announcement came during a formal address to an Indian parliamentary delegation led by senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Wednesday (local time).
“It is not the first time that I say this, but probably it is the first time that you hear this. I have said publicly that India deserves to be in the Security Council of the United Nations,” Acha stated, signaling strong backing for India’s long-standing push to join the UNSC as a permanent member.
The current structure of the UNSC includes five permanent members—China, France, the Russian Federation, the United Kingdom, and the United States—alongside ten non-permanent members elected by the United Nations General Assembly for two-year terms. Calls for reform have intensified in recent years, with many nations arguing that the current composition does not reflect the geopolitical realities of the 21st century.
India has been actively lobbying for UNSC reform and permanent membership, especially through the G4 group—comprising India, Japan, Brazil, and Germany—and the L.69 Group, which consists of developing countries from Asia, Africa, and Latin America. In a written statement to the Rajya Sabha last November, India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar emphasized that gaining a permanent seat remains a top foreign policy priority for New Delhi. He highlighted India’s continued bilateral and multilateral engagements in pursuit of this objective.
Several major powers, including most of the current P5 members, have previously expressed support for India’s bid.
During his remarks, Foreign Minister Acha also spoke about the robust relationship between India and Panama, highlighting mutual respect and shared democratic values as the foundation of their bilateral ties.
“The relationship between Panama and India is rooted in mutual respect. Shared democratic values and a common vision for prosperity, peace and inclusive growth. Over the years, we have witnessed a steady strengthening of bilateral ties across multiple sectors, trade and investment, maritime collaboration, education, health and renewable energy,” Acha said.
He warmly welcomed the visiting delegation, describing it as a symbol of the “enduring and dynamic friendship between Panama and India,” and heralded the visit as the beginning of a new chapter in bilateral cooperation.
“It is a great honor and sincere pleasure that I welcome your Excellency in Panama. The government of my country, our president, give you the most warming welcome,” he said. “Panama, as the bridge of the world and the heart of the universe, has always embraced its strategic role in global commerce, diplomacy and cultural dialogue. Likewise, India, with its rich heritage, vibrant democracy—the largest in the world—and growing global influence, has been a long-standing and valued partner in our development and multilateral engagements,” he added.
Earlier in the day, the Indian delegation met with President Jose Raul Mulino at the Presidential Palace, further deepening diplomatic engagements between the two nations.
The cross-party Indian delegation included parliamentarians Shambhavi Chaudhary (Lok Janshakti Party), Sarfaraz Ahmed (Jharkhand Mukti Morcha), G M Harish Balayagi (Telugu Desam Party), Shashank Mani Tripathi, Tejaswi Surya, Bhubaneswar Kalita (all BJP), Mallikarjun Devda (Shiv Sena), Shiv Sena MP Milind Deora, and former Indian Ambassador to the United States, Taranjit Singh Sandhu. (ANI)
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