India roots for UNSC expansion

Determined to continue their efforts for reforms in the UN, India, Brazil and S Africa have called for inter-governmental negotiations for the expansion of Security Council.

Determined to continue their efforts for reforms in the United Nations, India, Brazil and South Africa have called for “immediate, element-based and result-oriented” inter-governmental negotiations for the expansion of Security Council.

HT Image

External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee, who met his counterparts Celso Amorim of Brazil and Nkosazana Dalmini-Zuma of South Africa here, also discussed matters of mutual interest and issues relating to IBSA Dialogue Forum and IBSA Fund for Alleviation of Poverty and Hunger.

The three countries, known by the acronym IBSA, are strong contenders for permanent seats in an expanded Council.

Meeting on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly session yesterday, the ministers called for “immediate, element-based and result-oriented” inter-governmental negotiations for the expansion of the 15-member Council so that it reflects current realities.

Preparations for the second IBSA Summit in South Africa next month also came for discussions, officials said. India, Japan, Germany and Brazil, known as Group of four (G-4), are strong contenders for permanent seats in the expanded Security Council but “Uniting for Consensus” group, in which Pakistan plays an important role, opposes expansion in the permanent category. G-4 wants two members from Africa to join the Council as permanent members.