The G-4 group of nations, comprising India, Brazil, Germany and Japan, want a quick resolution to negotiations over reform of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) and "a concrete outcome" by the end of the current session of the UN General Assembly in mid-September.
That was the significant announcement after a ministerial meeting of the four countries was hosted by external affairs minister SM Krishna at the Permanent Mission of India in New York.
The four countries, all aspirants to permanent membership of the Council, believe the six-month timeframe is workable given that the majority of the member states of the United Nations are in favour of early reform in both the permanent and non-permanent categories.
Krishna said he was hopeful that the reforms would occur "at least during the current calendar year." Brazilian Minister of External Relations Antonio de Aguiar Patriota said there was a "sense of inevitability" over the reform process.
The meeting was also attended by Guido Westerwelle, Germany's Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs and Takeaki Matsumoto, Japanese State Secretary for Foreign Affairs.
There was discussion over being "flexible" when it came to reforms, including consideration of a possible "intermediate solution" under which nations could be elected to UNSC for tenures of ten years or more. However, India is more inclined towards a more lasting solution.
{{/usCountry}}There was discussion over being "flexible" when it came to reforms, including consideration of a possible "intermediate solution" under which nations could be elected to UNSC for tenures of ten years or more. However, India is more inclined towards a more lasting solution.
{{/usCountry}}In this context, Krishna told HT that the G-4 had "taken up the position that there has to be total reforms of the United Nations Security Council, both in the permanent as well as the non-permanent categories."