Modi, Ban discuss climate change, UNSC reforms

UN Secretary General hopes Modi himself will represent India at the September summit in Seoul

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has discussed pressing issues like UN Security Council reform and climate change with Prime Minister Narendra Modi whose "global leadership" was today lauded by him.

In his remarks at the Asia Leadership Forum in the South Korean capital, Ban thanked Modi for his "strong partnership and leadership not only as an Asian regional leader but also global leadership."

The UN chief met with Modi yesterday and discussed climate change and Security Council reform among other topics, Ban's deputy spokesperson Farhan Haq told reporters.

"The Secretary-General underscored that 2015 would be a year for global action, as the new sustainable development goals are expected to be adopted in September at the General Assembly," Haq said.

Ban also expressed the hope that Modi himself would represent India at the September summit in the city.

Following his meeting with Ban, Modi had tweeted, "Discussed key global issues during the wonderful meeting with @UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon."

The year 2015 marks the 70th anniversary of the United Nations and world leaders are expected to converge at the world body's headquarters in New York later this year to discuss critical issues like climate change, terrorism and UNSC reforms.

India has strongly called for urgent reforms of the 15-nation Security Council, saying the 70th anniversary milestone provides a perfect opportunity for world leaders to achieve the long-pending reforms to make the UN reflect current political realities.