At a recent event in New Delhi, India’s External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar, delivered a strong message about the current state of the United Nations (UN). Speaking at the Kautilya Economic Conclave, Jaishankar didn’t hold back, comparing the UN to an “old company” that hasn’t kept up with the modern world but is still “taking up space.” According to him, the UN has failed to address some of the most pressing global challenges, from pandemics to ongoing military conflicts.
Jaishankar’s criticism was aimed at how the UN has become ineffective in today’s world, especially when it comes to handling big crises like the wars in Europe and the Middle East. “Where is the UN on these issues?” he asked. He said that instead of taking action, the UN has become a mere bystander, watching events unfold without doing much to help. He also pointed out the organization’s failure during the COVID-19 pandemic, arguing that the global body did little to help when the world was in crisis.
India has been vocal for years about the need for reform in international organizations like the UN, especially as developing nations play a bigger role in the global economy and politics. But progress on these reforms has been slow. At the recent United Nations General Assembly meeting, India, along with Brazil and South Africa, expressed their frustration. The three countries, all seeking permanent seats on the UN Security Council, criticized the lack of movement on expanding the Council to include more countries.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, speaking at the ‘Summit of the Future’ in New York, emphasized that reforming global governance is crucial for achieving global peace and development. Without these changes, Modi argued, the UN risks becoming irrelevant in today’s complex world.
Jaishankar further explained that international discussions have been stuck on only a few major issues, like the conflict in Ukraine and tensions in the Middle East. These topics have taken up all the attention, leaving little room to discuss other important matters, like reforming institutions such as the UN. He suggested that countries are beginning to look for alternative ways to solve global problems, citing the Covax initiative, which aimed to ensure fair access to COVID-19 vaccines, and the International Solar Alliance, co-founded by India and France to promote clean energy.
The minister also noted that many countries are showing interest in joining BRICS, the group that includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. This growing interest shows that nations are seeking multiple options for their global partnerships, no longer wanting to rely on just one or two powerful countries. According to Jaishankar, this shift points to the end of an era where exclusive relationships between a few countries dominated the world stage.
Jaishankar made it clear that the UN and the global order are becoming outdated. If the world wants to tackle modern challenges, from conflicts to climate change, the system needs to be updated—and soon.
