MONROVIA – The only female member among the visiting Indian Parliamentarian Delegation to Liberia, Ms. Bansuri Swaraj, has expressed her optimism that Liberia is definitely going to win one of two Africa’s Non-permanent Seats at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).
The UN General Assembly is expected to vote on June 3rd, 2025 for members of five non-permanent seats within the UNSC. Among the five seats, Africa has two non-permanent members. For this year’s election, Liberia and DR Congo are vying for both seats of the continent. Even though both of them are contesting unopposed, it is still a formality for the UNGA to vote. The seats are currently being occupied by Algeria and Sierra Leone. The five new members that would be elected this year, will take up their seats on January 1st, 2026 and will serve until December 31st, 2027.
Ms. Swaraj, who is a parliamentarian of India’s Lower House (Lok Sabha) and a member of the ruling party in India, gave her assurance when she delivered remarks at an interaction meeting between the Indian Community in Liberia and the visiting 8-person Indian Multiparty Parliamentarian Delegation, on Sunday, June 1st, at the Indian Embassy near Monrovia.
“And you also know that elections are about to take place. Liberia is standing for the election of a non-permanent member of the UNSC.
“This is the time when our friends need us and we need them. On June 3, I think that the great campaign that they have run, 100% D.R. Congo and Liberia will definitely become non-permanent members of the UNSC. We know this,” Ms. Swaraj, who is a member of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in India, assured.
She further told her fellow Indians in their native Hindi language, that the visiting delegation and probably the entire Indian Government, has “complete faith that Liberia will stand with India in the global war against terrorism.”
Before she had declared that Liberia will win the seat, she had told her fellow countrymen and women: “We have been asked, why are you in Liberia? We have come to Liberia because it is a very old friend of India. It is a very beautiful bilateral relationship. And you are making it even more beautiful.”
According to her, when the murder of peaceful civilians was done in Pahalgam, Kashmir on April 22, 2025, the Liberian Government didn’t only send a message of condolence, but also strongly condemned the act of terrorism. “Liberia was one of the first countries to condemn this barbaric attack and stand with India.”
The visiting Indian Parliamentarian Delegation is expected to meet with senior Liberian Government officials, including President Joseph Nyuma Boakai. This is Ms. Swaraj hopes for: “I know that tomorrow, when our leader Srikant Eknath will go to the seat of government and meet the President, Speaker and Foreign Minister, we know that they will again stand with India in the voice of India.”
“I thank you all again. You are not only reforming India, but also Liberia. And I thank you for the kind of support, support and love you have shown to this delegation.”
Ms. Swaraj told her audience that when she and other members of the delegation landed at the Roberts International Airport (RIA), two Liberia members of parliament welcomed them. “The first thing they said to us was about the relations between India and Liberia. They praised Indian diaspora. And they said that you are playing the role of a seat between motherland and Liberia. First of all, I bow to you.”
“You are the backbone that is strengthening the bilateral relationship between India and Liberia. Now you will ask why we, the all-party delegation, have come here under the leadership of Manikya Srikranth Eknath Shinde.”
Head of Delegation
Dr. Shrikant Eknath Shinde, who is heading the Delegation, is a member of Parliament, Lok Sabha. Dr. Shinde told his fellow Indians residing in Liberia that they had taken one message to all the nations they visited before coming to Liberia.
“I think all of us, all the members of this delegation have come here with a purpose, what do we want to do. This delegation started on 21st April, today we are in the Liberia, tomorrow is the last day of this delegation, on the last day we will meet different leaders and talk to them.
“We want to give them the message of peace, the message of peace and the message of zero-tolerance against terrorism. We started in the UAE, then we went to DR Congo, then Sierra Leone and now we are in the Liberia.
“We want to send the message of peace to all the countries which have a population of 140 crore (1.4 million).
“We have sent the message of peace to 33 countries,” Dr. Shinde said.
Other members of the delegation each gave their own perspectives on India-Liberia relations and other issues affecting their country and Pakistan.
The delegation will convey India’s strong message of zero tolerance towards terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.
“We have come with a message of peace,” Dr. Shinde emphasized.
Delegation members
1. Dr. Shrikant Eknath Shinde (Head of Delegation), Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha (Lower House), Shiv Sena
2. Ms. Bansuri Swaraj, Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)
3. Mr. ET Mohammed Basheer, Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha, Indian Union Muslim League (IUML)
4. Mr. Atul Garg, Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)
5. Dr. Sasmit Patra, Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha (Upper House), Biju Janata Dal (BJD)
6. Mr. Manan Kumar Mishra, Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)
7. Mr. S. S. Ahluwalia, Former Member of Parliament and Former Minister of State, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)
8. Ambassador Sujan Chinoy, Former Ambassador to Japan and Mexico, Former Consul General of India in Shanghai and Sydney
Earlier In The Day
Earlier in the day, the visiting Indian delegation was led on a guided tour of the National Museum on Broad Street. The tour guide explained the meaning and importance of significant artifacts and others. They also laid flowers on the tomb of former President William V. S. Tubman, who is regarded by some Liberians as the Father of the Nation.
How Many Votes Liberia Needs
Few days ago, when she appeared on the state-backed The Class Reloaded, an online TV show, Foreign Minister Sara Beysolow Nyanti said that Liberia seeks 129 votes out of the 193 member states’ votes to secure the seat. But, judging from the level of work done during the campaign period, Liberia is targeting 149 out of the 193 member states to adequately secure the non-permanent UNSC seat.
