India & other G-4 nations seek reform of UN Council

NEW YORK: Demanding comprehensive reform of the UN Security Council, the G-4 nations of Brazil, Germany, India and Japan on Thursday asserted that they are legitimate candidates for permanent membership in the top UN body on account of the “geopolitical realities” of the 21st century.

MoS for external affairs MJ Akbar, Germany’s federal foreign minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Brazil’s foreign minister Jose Serra and Japan’s foreign minister Fumio Kishida met at the G-4 meeting here on Wednesday on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly session.

“The G-4 ministers underscored their unwavering commitment to a comprehensive reform of the Security Council which needs to take into account the geopolitical realities of the 21st century,” a joint press statement said.

“They emphasised that the G4 countries are legitimate candidates for permanent membership and supported each other’s aspirations,” it said.