India, Germany have earned right to UNSC seat, says Modi

Berlin, April 14: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said India and Germany had earned the right to be members of UN Security Council and called for "tangible progress" in UNSC reforms in the 70th anniversary year of the United Nations.

Stressing India's credentials to be in the security council, Modi also said that "peace was in India's DNA" and the country had consistently contributed to UN peacekeeping efforts.

In his remarks at joint media interaction with German Chancellor Angela Merkel after their talks, he said India and Germany's becoming permanent members will be beneficial to the world. [Treat terrorism as "sensitively" as nuclear proliferation:Modi]

"It is my belief that India and Germany are two countries that have earned the right to be permanent members of the United Nations Security Council. Our membership will also be beneficial to the world. We both would like to see tangible progress in the United Nations Security Council reforms during the 70th anniversary year of the United Nations," Modi said.

Answering a query later about security council reforms, Modi regretted that India was yet not a member of the council though the United Nations will complete 70 years of its formation.

Noting India had never attacked any other country and was the land where Gautam Buddha amnd Mahatma Gandhi were born, he said that "after formation of the UN, India is among the countries that has contributed the most to peacekeeping efforts and its contribution has been lauded".

"If that country does not get it (Security Council membership), has to wait for 70 years, peace is in whose DNA ... there should be justice to that country," Modi said.