Jaishankar Sends Strong Message to UN: ‘Change or Risk Irrelevance’
India calls for a more democratic, inclusive, and technology-enabled United Nations to meet 21st-century global challenges
New Delhi, Oct 16: India’s External Affairs Minister, Dr. S. Jaishankar, delivered a powerful call for global institutional reform on the concluding day of the United Nations Troop Contributing Countries’ (UNTCC) Chiefs Conclave 2025, organized by the Indian Army. He warned that the United Nations risks losing relevance and credibility if it fails to modernize and reflect the realities of the 21st century.
“The UN today still reflects the realities of 1945, not 2025,” Jaishankar said. “Eighty years is a long time. Membership has quadrupled, yet historical injustices persist. The UN must amplify the voices of the developing world and the Global South. Its legitimacy and credibility depend on it.”
Highlighting the need for meaningful reform, he noted that while there is broad agreement among member states on expanding Security Council representation, the reform process is often stalled or used to derail progress. Jaishankar reaffirmed India’s commitment to taking greater responsibilities in a reformed United Nations and multilateral system.
Calling UN peacekeepers “true torchbearers of multilateralism,” he emphasized that peacekeeping operations must evolve in response to modern challenges, including asymmetric threats from non-state actors and terrorist groups. He stressed that mandates must be realistic, well-resourced, and developed in consultation with both troop-contributing countries and host nations.
“Technology and peacekeeping go hand in hand,” Jaishankar said, highlighting India’s readiness to serve as a technology demonstrator to enhance operational effectiveness. He also underscored the importance of strategic communication, combating misinformation, and ensuring the safety of peacekeepers, insisting that those responsible for attacks must be held accountable.
Jaishankar called for a new paradigm in peacekeeping, with advanced training, modern surveillance, protective gear, and cyber capabilities to meet the complex demands of contemporary conflicts. He also highlighted the crucial role of women peacekeepers, noting that their presence builds trust in communities and provides hope for vulnerable populations.
On financial and operational sustainability, the EAM urged UN member states to make peacekeeping more rigorous by phasing out obsolete missions and optimizing resources, while maintaining the core principles of global peace and security.
“Future peacekeeping must adapt to new challenges, protect civilians, and ensure the safety of personnel. This is not just an operational need, it is a moral imperative,” he concluded, reinforcing India’s commitment to shaping a more inclusive, effective, and credible United Nations.
