S Jaishankar Stresses UN Modernisation And Accountability

The 80th United Nations General Assembly session was held on September 27, 2025, in New York.

External Affairs Minister of India S Jaishankar called the United Nations ‘gridlocked’ and in need of reform.

Meanwhile, he presented India’s readiness to assume enhanced responsibilities amid organisational challenges.

External Affairs Minister Jaishankar pointed to conflicts, terrorism and resource shortages as key factors that have stalled the UN’s functioning.

The declining capacity of the world body to reach consensus, he noted, has weakened faith in multilateralism.

“Resistance to reform has been central to the erosion of the UN’s credibility,” he said. He called for historical injustices against Africa to be addressed.

Furthermore, urged expansion of both permanent and non-permanent seats on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).

Global Body Reform Urged

India, he asserted, is prepared to assume a larger role in global governance.

The Minister also highlighted India’s active contributions, including peacekeeping missions under the UN.

He also highlighted the anti-piracy operations in the Arabian Sea and promotion of digital initiatives, which form the cornerstone of India’s foreign policy.

S Jaishankar outlined pressing international challenges, citing conflicts in West Asia and Ukraine, slow progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and pressing energy and food security concerns.

He also flagged global tariff uncertainty and fluctuating market access as critical issues for nations, including India.

“De-risking is increasingly necessary, whether due to limited supply sources or over-dependence on a single market,” he noted. Without directly naming Pakistan, the Minister described India’s neighbour as an ‘epicentre of terrorism,’ stating that the UN’s terrorist lists include numerous nationals from that country.

He cited India’s responses to the Pahalgam terror attacks on April 22 as examples of defending citizens, and urged the international community to curb terrorism financing and dismantle terror networks.

On crises in Gaza and Ukraine, Jaishankar urged capable nations to mediate and find solutions.

“India calls for an end to hostilities and supports any initiative to restore peace,” he said. He outlined 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, alluding to external pressures on India to align with specific international blocs.

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