After a gap of 19 years, India today formally took its place in the UN Security Council as a new non-permanent member for a two-year term.

Along with India, Germany, South Africa, Columbia and Portugal also took their places at the powerful 15-member body of the United Nations.

Regarded as a key emerging political and economic power, India would be the president of the powerful Security Council in August and again later next year, most likely in November 2012, during its two-year term.

India is also likely to be given a key responsibility of heading one of the two key counter-terrorism committees of the Council during its term.

India, along with other emerging countries, has been pushing for a reform of the United Nations to reflect the realities of the present day world.

It has also sought an expansion of the UN Security Council to include new permanent members, and has joined hands with the G4 countries – Germany, Japan, South Africa and India to push for the expansion.

Excluding Japan, all the three countries now find themselves in the Security Council as non-permanent members and are expected to push their agenda jointly.