External affairs minister, Sushma Swaraj had a busy schedule on her first day of US visit, which is yesterday.
 
Sushma participated in a meeting with the foreign ministers of the Brics (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa). At the meeting, the ministers supported the successful outcome at the COP21 in Paris later this year.

A press note released from the ministry reads: “They called for a comprehensive, balanced and equitable agreement with legal force for the post 2020 period that is conformity with the principals and provisions of UNFCCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change) to be attained in an open, transparent and inclusive negotiating process.”
 
Vikas Swarup, a spokesperson for the ministry said, “In February, India is going to be the chair country from Brics. The ministers discussed about the emergent needs and the way the things are progressed, since the last summit meeting in Russia. We would be able to know what more needs to be done. So external affairs minister’s visit is important to us.”

UN reforms through Brics

The ministers of Brics, reiterated the need for the comprehensive UN reforms, including its security council, to make it more efficient and representative.

Reacting to the meeting with Sushma, Vikas said, “There was some discussion on UK's participation in the smart cities program and on UK investments in India and Indian investments in the UK.”

Later, John Kerry, secretary of state United States held the inaugural US-India-Japan trilateral ministerial dialogue on the sidelines of the UN general assembly.
 
Sushma Swaraj and Japanese foreign minister Fumio Kishida participated in the meeting. Together, these three countries represent a quarter of the world's population and economic production power. They discussed about the overflight, maritime security and freedom of navigation.

To maintain the systematic maritime security, the three countries agreed to work together. Today, Sushma will meet the ministers of Syria, Caricom, Sri Lanka, Maldives,  Gulf Cooperation Council and the Saarc countries.  

By Phani Ch