Russia today supported India's bid for a permanent seat in the reformed UN Security Council as the two countries agreed that any expansion of the top UN body should reflect contemporary realities.
"They agreed that any expansion of the Security Council should reflect contemporary realities. In this regard, the Russian Federation reiterated its strong support to India for a permanent seat in a reformed UN Security Council," said a joint statement issued at the end of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The last expansion in the UN Security Council took place in 1963 - an increase of four in the non-permanent category from 11 to 15.
India, along with Brazil, Germany and Japan have formed G4 grouping to press for expanding the permanent membership of the Security Council.
The UNSC includes five veto-wielding permanent members-China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. There are also 10 non-permanent members, with five elected each year to serve two-year terms.
