In his address to the United Nations General Assembly, India’s Minister for External Affairs, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, criticized the UN as “gridlocked” and underlined the urgent need for international cooperation and organizational reform. He questioned how the UN had lived up to expectations, highlighting ongoing conflicts in Ukraine, the Middle East, West Asia, and numerous other regions that often go unreported.
Mr. Jaishankar condemned the lack of global solidarity on pressing issues, noting the slow progress of the Sustainable Development Goals, which are far behind schedule for completion by 2030. He criticized superficial climate commitments and accused wealthy nations of protecting themselves from energy and food insecurity while resource-stressed countries struggle to survive.
The minister also addressed global economic challenges, including tariff volatility, uncertain market access, technological control, critical mineral supply, protection of sea lanes, and restrictions on the evolution of a global workforce. He suggested that these issues demand greater international collaboration but questioned the UN’s ability to effectively resolve them. He warned that the organization is “in a state of crisis” and largely gridlocked due to resistance to reform, despite widespread support among member states.
On the issue of terrorism, Mr. Jaishankar referred to ongoing tensions with Pakistan, asserting that many major international terrorist attacks in recent decades have been linked to India’s neighbor. He emphasized India’s right to defend its citizens and bring perpetrators to justice while calling for deeper international cooperation and stronger pressure on the global terror network.
Mr. Jaishankar highlighted India’s role as a leader in the Global South, detailing the country’s involvement in more than 600 development projects across 78 countries. He cited India’s emergency aid after the 2024 Afghanistan earthquake and recent earthquake relief in Myanmar, as well as India’s contributions to UN peacekeeping missions in conflict zones such as the Golan Heights, Western Sahara, and Somalia.
The minister praised India’s economic achievements over the past decade, including its dynamic start-up ecosystem, growing infrastructure, and responsible use of artificial intelligence. He described India’s approach as centered on self-reliance, strong security, and the confidence of a rapidly growing major economy.
Mr. Jaishankar concluded by calling for the UN’s ninth decade to be marked by leadership and hope, emphasizing that international cooperation is essential, as “islands of prosperity cannot flourish in an ocean of turbulence.”
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