India’s top diplomat delivered a sharp critique of the United Nations on Friday, warning that the body’s credibility is eroding as it remains paralyzed on global crises and resists long-overdue reforms.
External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar said the UN is “in a state of crisis” as conflicts rage, development falters and terrorism undermines human rights. He argued that the world body is increasingly unable to forge consensus, fueling a decline in faith in multilateralism.
“Central to the erosion of the UN’s credibility has been resistance to reform,” Jaishankar said. “An objective report card will show that the UN remains gridlocked when peace is threatened, when development is derailed, or when rights are violated.”
He called for urgent steps to revitalize the institution, beginning with reform of the Security Council. Jaishankar pressed for an expansion of both permanent and non-permanent membership, saying the council must become “truly representative” if it is to carry out its mandate effectively.
“The historical injustice done to Africa must be redressed,” he said, adding that India is prepared to take on greater responsibility within a reformed system.
Jaishankar framed reform as an essential step toward restoring trust in multilateralism and making the UN fit for the 21st century. “Every member who can contribute must have the opportunity to do their utmost,” he said. “Reformed multilateralism is the obvious way forward.”
He urged the international community to confront what he called “cynicism” blocking reform efforts and said the UN’s ninth decade must be one of “leadership and hope.”
“A world order requires common purpose, as it does empathy for others,” he said. “That is where the international community continues to look to the United Nations.”