Jaishankar UN decisions fail to reflect global priorities
Jaishankar says ‘all is not well’ as UN marks 80th anniversary
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Thursday delivered a sharp critique of the United Nations, saying that “all is not well” within the global body and warning that its decisions no longer reflect the priorities or realities of today’s world. His remarks came during an event marking the 80th anniversary of the UN, where he launched a commemorative postage stamp symbolizing peace and cooperation.
“In an era of conflict, there is a need for peace — and this is what the postage stamp represents,” Jaishankar said, reflecting on the global challenges that have reshaped international relations. “The world is going through difficult times. All is not well with the UN,” he declared, urging member nations to confront the growing disconnect between the organization’s actions and the actual needs of the international community.
Jaishankar noted that debates within the UN have become increasingly polarised, often detached from the ground realities of developing nations. He said that the spirit of dialogue and consensus that once defined the organization has been overshadowed by political agendas, selective narratives, and outdated structures that fail to address pressing global issues such as terrorism, economic inequality, and climate change.
Freedom of expression and media rights. India responded firmly, advising Switzerland to focus on its own internal challenges, including what it described as “racism, systematic discrimination, and xenophobia.”
Adding further context to his remarks, Jaishankar pointed to Pakistan’s repeated attempts to misuse UN platforms to spread misinformation about Kashmir. He condemned Islamabad’s efforts to “hijack” UN discussions with politically motivated falsehoods, even as Pakistan faces global outrage over the recent massacre of civilians in Pahalgam. “It is deeply unfortunate that countries with a history of supporting terrorism attempt to lecture others on human rights,” a senior Indian diplomat noted following Jaishankar’s statement.
Calling for urgent reform within the UN, Jaishankar said the existing system has become resistant to change — a situation that undermines its credibility. “Meaningful reform in the UN is being blocked by using the reform process itself,” he observed, alluding to the procedural deadlocks that have long delayed expansion of the UN Security Council and other key reforms.
Jaishankar’s message was clear — the world has changed dramatically since 1945, but the UN remains trapped in the past. For it to remain relevant, he said, it must evolve to reflect new power dynamics, emerging economies, and diverse regional voices.
His remarks struck a chord with many observers who share India’s frustration with the slow pace of institutional reform. As the world faces overlapping crises — from wars and humanitarian disasters to economic uncertainty — Jaishankar’s statement served as both a warning and a call for renewal: the UN must reform, or risk losing its purpose in a world that desperately needs effective global cooperation.