New Zealand Backs India's Permanent Seat at UN Security Council

New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon emphasized India's pivotal role in the Indo-Pacific, highlighting its strategic importance in an increasingly multi-polar world. Speaking on Monday, he voiced support for New Delhi's bid for a permanent seat on the UN Security Council.

New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Addressing the Raisina Dialogue, Luxon stressed the necessity of maintaining a rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific and rejected the "might makes right" approach, a statement made against the backdrop of China's growing assertiveness in the region.

He affirmed that countries like India hold a central position on the global stage and reiterated New Zealand's backing for India's inclusion in a reformed UN Security Council.

Luxon made these remarks after jointly inaugurating the Raisina Dialogue with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. His speech primarily focused on the economic and political dynamics of the Indo-Pacific, analyzing the region’s evolving power struggles.

"We must go forward with great confidence as we live at the heart of the world's most exciting and dynamic region -- the Indo-Pacific," he stated this in front of multiple foreign ministers, senior diplomats, and foreign policy experts.

"There is no prosperity without security," he added.

Luxon further discussed New Zealand's stance on the Indo-Pacific, stating that the country aims to "protect and advance" its interests in the rapidly evolving and dynamic region.

"As New Zeraland looks to protect and advance our interests in the Indo-Pacific , we can only do so alongside partners like India that have a significant role to play in the Indo-Pacific region," he said.

"In an increasingly multi-polar world India's size and geo-strategic heft gives you autonomy," he argued.

"We want to live in an Indo-Pacific where the countries are free to choose their own path free from interference, a region where no one country comes to dominate," he said.

Luxon stated that New Zealand is collaborating with other Pacific nations to strengthen their capabilities and support them in making independent decisions without external influence.

"My government is investing in key relationships -- from traditional partners to deepening our relationships across South-East Asia and in a serious way with India too," he added.

Luxon also referred to the Quad as a "significant platform" for advancing an open, stable, and prosperous Indo-Pacific.

"And India's contribution to the evolution of Quad has been vital," he said.

New Zealand has no plans to join the Quad but remains committed to supporting its initiatives, Luxon stated.

The Kiwi prime minister emphasized that his country will strengthen defense ties with like-minded nations, including India.

He also praised ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) for its continued role in promoting regional peace and economic growth through its centrality in the Indo-Pacific.

Earlier in the day, Modi and Luxon discussed the Indo-Pacific situation, reaffirming their commitment to an open, inclusive, stable, and prosperous region where sovereignty and territorial integrity are upheld, according to a joint statement.

As maritime nations, both leaders recognized the shared interest of India and New Zealand in maintaining a rules-based international order in the Indo-Pacific.

Additionally, they reaffirmed the importance of freedom of navigation, overflight, and other lawful maritime activities, in line with international law, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

"The prime ministers reaffirmed the need to pursue peaceful resolution of disputes in accordance with international law, particularly UNCLOS," the statement noted.

(This Article was originally published by NDTV)