Fix timeframe for UNSC reforms: G4

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, September 23

The G4 has called for concrete outcomes in a fixed timeframe on the measures to reform the UN Security Council. “With G4 Foreign Ministers Heiko Mass, Moteging and Carlos França, sent a clear message on the need for reformed multilateralism,’’ said External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar after meeting his German, Japanese and Brazilian counterparts in New York.

All four members of G4 are aspirants for permanent seats on the UN Security Council. In making their claims, India cites its large population and economic strength and Brazil absence of a Latin American nation among the five permanent members (P-5) while Japan and Germany feel the UNSC has rewarded only the victors of World War II.

Jaishankar also addressed the G20 Foreign Ministers’ meeting on Afghanistan where he said assistance providers must be accorded unimpeded, unrestricted and direct access. Taliban’s commitment not to allow use of Afghan soil for terrorism should be implemented and the government must have representation from all sections of Afghan society.