MoS External Affairs MJ Akbar joined other G4 countries in demanding UN Security Council reforms.
Demanding comprehensive reform of the United Nations Security Council, G4 nations of Brazil, Germany, India and Japan have asserted that they are legitimate candidates for permanent membership in the top UN body on account of the "geopolitical realities" of the 21st century.
Minister of State for External Affairs M J Akbar, Federal Foreign Minister of Germany Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Foreign Minister of Brazil Jose Serra and Foreign Minister of Japan Fumio Kishida met at the G4 meeting, on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly session.
"The G4 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," the statement further read.
It also said that more than 70 years after the founding of the UN, its Security Council must change in order to cope with the emerging global challenges.
"With a view to the manifold conflicts and humanitarian crises, a more representative, legitimate and effective Council is needed more than ever to guarantee peace and security worldwide," it said.
The statement by the ministers said that efforts needed to be intensified to build a momentum for reforms. They pledged to continue to work towards comprehensive Security Council reforms.
G4 foreign ministers also expressed support for equitable regional representation, underscoring the need for Africa's inclusion in both the permanent and non-permanent membership as well as adequate representation of small and medium sized UN member states.
At present, the Security Council has only five permanent members - China, France, United Kingdom, Russia and the United States of America - and ten non-permanent members elected for two-year terms by the General Assembly.