Washington, September 24. Former US National Security Adviser John Bolton has said that China does not currently appear ready to support a proposal to give India permanent membership of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).

In an interview with PTI Video, Bolton shared his views on reforming the Security Council and efforts to change its existing structure. He said discussions about changing the composition of the 15-member Security Council have continued for several decades, but no concrete outcome has emerged so far.

According to Bolton, given China’s position, the possibility of a change in its stance on India’s bid for permanent membership appears limited. He said China prefers to maintain the existing arrangement, under which five countries hold permanent seats.

The former US official also pointed out that China is currently the only Asian country among the permanent members and, for this reason, is unlikely to readily agree to changes in the existing structure of the Security Council.

The UN Security Council currently has five permanent members — the United States, Russia, China, France and the United Kingdom. It also has 10 non-permanent members, each serving a two-year term.

India has long called for an expansion of permanent membership in the Security Council and has sought a permanent seat for itself. India has argued that, given current global circumstances and the evolving role of the United Nations, the Security Council needs broader representation.

However, there have been differing views among the permanent members of the Security Council and the wider UN membership over the nature of reform. As a result, the question of expanding the Council has remained a subject of discussion in international diplomacy for several years.