India and Germany on Monday decided to impart fresh momentum to their efforts for reforms of the UN Security Council. They pledged to work with two other G4 Members – Japan and Brazil to achieve the desired objective. The Foreign Ministers of the two countries today held wide ranging discussions in New Delhi on a host of issues to strengthen strategic partnership. A pact to celebrate a year of Germany in India in 2011-12 and the year of India in Germany in 2012-13 was also inked after the talks between Mr. S.M.Krishna and his German Counterpart, Guido Westerwelle. Official sources said that the two sides focussed on enhanced counter terror cooperation, climate change and intensification of economic and defence ties. Later addressing a press conference, the German Foreign Minister said that non-proliferation and disarmament also came up for discussion. Asserting that UN architecture reflects the scenario of post second cold war, where many emerging powers from Africa and Asia were under represented. He said, a meeting of G4 countries will be held in a few months to give fresh momentum to their efforts on the reforms in the UN Security Council. Describing India as a country on the rise, German Foreign Minister said, the projection of nine per cent growth for the year and its election as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council with overwhelming majority speaks loudly that India is the country of future. He said Germany is willing to share intelligence information with India to deal with terrorismeffectively.Earlier in the morning, he met the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh. Before leaving back home tomorrow, he will hold discussions with the Commerce Minister, Mr. Anand Sharma to enhance bilateral trade and investment. AIR Correspondent reports that the External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna and his German counterpart Guido Westerwelle met for the first time in New Delhi after the two countries were elected as non-permanent members of the UN Security Council. Both the countries are aspiring to be at the high UN table.
News On AIR | October 18, 2010 7:47 PM
UNSC reforms: India, Germany decide to impart fresh momentum to their efforts