Influential US Congressman Ami Bera calls for making India a permanent member of UNSC

An influential US Congressman has asked the Obama Administration to work towards making India and other members of the so-called G-4 countries a permanent member of the UN Security Council.

During a Congressional hearing, Congressman Ami Bera called for G4 countries -- Brazil, Germany, India, and Japan -- to be considered for inclusion in the UN Security Council.

The hearing was about advancing American interests in the UN, wherein US Ambassador to the United Nations Samantha Power testified.

"If we look at the membership of the UN Security council, it does seem like it's time to revamp the permanent members, specifically to include the G4 countries: India, Brazil, Japan and Germany," said Bera, who is co-chair of the India Caucus in the House of Representatives.

"If we look at India specifically, it's soon to be the most populous nation, it's the world's largest democracy and it's certainly one of America's most important allies," Bera said.

Powers responded that while virtually everyone supports UNSC reform in the abstract, there are "bitter divisions" among UN membership about which nations should actually be added to the Security Council, but that India has the Administration's support.