NEW DELHI, Oct 14: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday warned that some nations are “openly violating” international rules, while others aim to impose their own norms to dominate global affairs in the coming century. Speaking at a conference of military chiefs from countries contributing troops to UN peacekeeping missions, Singh stressed that India continues to uphold a strong commitment to the international rules based order.
Highlighting the need for modernization, Singh called for reforms in “outdated” international structures, particularly the United Nations. “We cannot fight today’s challenges with outdated multilateral structures. Without comprehensive reforms, the UN faces a crisis of confidence,” he said, adding, “For today’s interconnected world, we need a reformed multilateralism.”
The defence minister did not name the countries violating global norms or seeking to create new ones but underscored India’s proactive role in global peacekeeping. He said nearly 2,90,000 Indian personnel have served in over 50 UN missions, and more than 180 Indian peacekeepers have sacrificed their lives under the UN flag.
“From Congo and Korea to South Sudan and Lebanon, our soldiers, police, and medical professionals have stood shoulder to shoulder with the international community to protect the vulnerable and rebuild societies,” Singh added, paying tribute to the courage and selflessness of Indian peacekeepers.