The G-4 countries comprising India, Brazil [Images], Germany [Images] and Japan [Images] have decided to stick together in their efforts to press for comprehensive United Nations reforms including expansion of the Security Council and try and evolve a common draft with African countries before year-end.

• Also read: G4 ministers in NY to persuade Africa

"We have decided that the G-4 will maintain its solidarity," Foreign Secretary Shyam Saran told reporters in New Delhi on Monday. He said foreign ministers of the G-4 countries who met in New York earlier in September on the margins of the UN General Assembly agreed to move ahead on the basis of their agreed strategy.

Saran, who returned from the United States Sunday night, said the G-4 will get together with African countries to see whether they can come up with a common draft incorporating the London [Images] compromise before December end.

"We are optimistic of moving forward," he said. He said there was considerable sentiment in African countries which recognised that the biggest beneficiary of Security Council reforms would be Africa as also the biggest loser if reforms don't take off since it has been given the lion's share in both permanent and non-permanent seats. India is hopeful of moving ahead on Security Council reforms keeping in view the new deadline of December-end set by Secretary General Kofi Annan.