UN Must Lead, Not Just Watch: Jaishankar Demands Reformed Multilateralism
EAM S Jaishankar urges the UN to end its passivity and implement structural reforms to address global crises in Ukraine and West Asia.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has issued a stern call to the United Nations, urging the global body to abandon its passivity and implement long-overdue structural reforms. Speaking at the Chinmaya Amrit Mahotsav Global Sammelan on ‘Non-Dualism for World Understanding’ held at Bharat Mandapam to mark UN Day, the Minister emphasized that the world cannot afford to have a global governance system that acts as a mere spectator while international crises escalate.
The Cost of Institutional Gridlock
Highlighting the devastating ripple effects of current geopolitical tensions, Jaishankar pointed toward the raging wars in Ukraine and West Asia. He noted that the consequences of these conflicts are not confined to the battlefields; instead, they are felt globally. Populations and nations far removed from these regions are bearing the economic brunt through skyrocketing food and fuel prices and widespread economic disruption.
The Minister argued that the current institutional gridlock within the UN leaves innocent people suffering from conflicts they had no part in starting. He warned that the international community cannot remain helpless bystanders while these cascading crises destabilize global stability.
Cooperation vs. Competition
Reflecting on the philosophy behind the UN's creation, Jaishankar discussed the eternal struggle between the instincts of competition—where every nation looks out for itself—and cooperation—where the world works together.
"Humankind has witnessed perpetual arguments between those who stress competitiveness and others who see a virtue in cooperation. These may be individual or even societal predicaments, but on the global stage, they translate into how nations behave with one another," Jaishankar stated.
He reminded the audience that eighty years ago, following the devastation of World War II, the world consciously chose cooperation, leading to the birth of the United Nations. He asserted that UN Day serves as a vital reminder of this spirit of oneness, noting that the most pressing challenges and opportunities of the modern era can only be effectively addressed collectively.
The Push for Reformed Multilateralism
A central theme of the Minister's address was the urgent need for reformed multilateralism. Jaishankar reiterated India's persistent demand for an overhaul of the UN's decision-making bodies, specifically the UN Security Council. He argued that the frameworks established eight decades ago under Article 1 of the UN Charter are no longer sufficient for today's reality.
He stressed that large portions of the developing world, particularly the Global South, have been systematically excluded from global governance frameworks for too long. According to the EAM, the case for reform grows stronger every day, as a world that excludes significant populations from decision-making cannot be effective.
Diplomacy Over Battlefields
On the path to peace, Jaishankar echoed a global sentiment: that the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East cannot be solved through military force. He maintained that dialogue and diplomacy are the only viable solutions to end these wars.
India, he noted, is not merely observing but is actively making efforts and remains open to collaborating with other international partners to push for peaceful resolutions.
A Call to Action
Concluding his remarks, the External Affairs Minister acknowledged that while the world is imperfect, there must be a continuous strive toward perfection. For the UN, this means recognizing its own limitations and shortcomings to seek genuine improvement.
He called upon the organization to show true leadership and renew the global commitment to unity, reminding the gathering that the world's challenges are shared and, therefore, must be solved together.