The 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly was held on 27 September 2025 in New York.
India’s External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar, described the United Nations as ‘gridlocked’ and in urgent need of reform. He also reaffirmed India’s readiness to assume greater responsibilities amid the organisation’s challenges.
Jaishankar highlighted conflicts, terrorism, and resource shortages as key factors that have hampered the UN’s functioning. He further noted that the declining capacity of the global body to reach consensus has weakened trust in multilateralism.
“Resistance to reform has been central to the erosion of the UN’s credibility,” he said, calling for historical injustices against Africa to be addressed.
Jaishankar further urged the expansion of both permanent and non-permanent seats on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).
Global Body Reform Urged
Jaishankar asserted that India is prepared to play a larger role in global governance.
He outlined India’s active contributions, including participation in UN peacekeeping missions, anti-piracy operations in the Arabian Sea, and the promotion of digital initiatives that form a cornerstone of the country’s foreign policy.
The External Affairs Minister also pointed to pressing international challenges such as conflicts in West Asia and Ukraine, slow progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and persistent energy and food security concerns.
Jaishankar flagged global tariff uncertainty and fluctuating market access as critical issues for many nations, including India.
“De-risking is increasingly necessary, whether due to limited supply sources or over-dependence on a single market,” he observed.
Without naming Pakistan directly, the Minister described India’s neighbour as an ‘epicentre of terrorism’. He further noted that many individuals from that country feature on the UN’s terrorist lists.
Citing India’s response to the Pahalgam terror attacks on 22 April, he called on the international community to curb terrorism financing and dismantle terror networks.
On the crises in Gaza and Ukraine, Jaishankar urged capable nations to mediate and help find lasting solutions.
“India calls for an end to hostilities and supports any initiative to restore peace,” he said.
He concluded by outlining India’s guiding principles in global engagement, Atmanirbharata (self-reliance), Atma Raksha (self-defence), and Atma Vishwas (self-confidence).
“Bharat will preserve its freedom of choice and continue to be a voice for the Global South,” he emphasised, referring to external pressures for India to align with specific international blocs.
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