US, Brazil agree on modest expansion of UNSC

WASHINGTON: The US and Brazil today agreed on a modest expansion of the UN Security Council but America stopped short of endorsing Brazil for being a permanent member of the most powerful decision making body.

India is the only country, which has been endorsed by the US to be a permanent member of the UNSC.

Reforms of the international organisations in particular that of the UNSC was mentioned in a US-Brazil joint statement issued after the meeting between US President Barack Obama and his Brazilian counterpart Dilma Rousseff at the White House.

"The Presidents concurred that just as other international organisations have had to change to be more responsive to the challenges of the 21st century, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) also needs to be reformed, and expressed their support for a modest expansion of the Security Council that improves its effectiveness and efficiency, as well as its representativeness," the joint statement said.

India, Brazil, Japan and Germany, commonly known as G-4, have been seeking a permanent berth in the expanded Security Council.

The US, a veto-wielding permanent member of the UN Security Council, has endorsed India for this position.

The joint statement has now referred to the Brazilian aspirations in this regard.

"President Obama reaffirmed his appreciation for Brazil's aspiration to become a permanent member of the Security Council and acknowledged its assumption of global responsibilities," the statement said.

The two leaders reiterated their governments' strong determination to support practical international efforts on disarmament, non-proliferation and cooperation for the peaceful uses of nuclear energy.

They expressed support for the entry into force of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty as soon as possible, it said.