External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar on Sunday stated that the United Nations (UN) is like an "old company" that is "occupying space in the market" without adapting to the changing global landscape.
Speaking at the Kautilya Economic Conclave, Jaishankar stressed that the UN has failed to keep pace with the world, forcing countries to find alternative ways to address pressing global challenges.
"Since this is an economic conclave, let me give you a businesslike answer. The UN, in a way, is like an old company, not entirely keeping up with the market but occupying the space. And, when it's behind times in this world, you have startups and innovation. So, different people start doing their own things," Jaishankar said.
He explained that while countries would prefer the UN to lead global initiatives when it fails to address key issues, they are left to create their own mechanisms.
"There is a UN at the end of the day, however, suboptimal it is in functioning, it's still the only multilateral game in town. But when it doesn't step up on key issues, countries figure out their own ways of doing it," Jaishankar added.
Reflecting on the UN's role during the Covid-19 pandemic, EAM Jaishankar highlighted its limited contribution, stating, "Probably the biggest thing which happened in our life was Covid. Think about what the UN do on Covid, and I think the answer is not very much".
He also addressed the UN's inaction on major global conflicts, specifically the Russia-Ukraine war and the ongoing Middle East crisis.
"Two very serious conflicts are going on in the world. Where is the UN on them? Essentially a bystander. So what is happening is that as you saw even during Covid, countries either did their own thing or you had an initiative like Covax, which was done by a group of countries," Jaishankar remarked.
"When it comes to the big issues of the day, increasingly, you'll find combinations of countries who come together and say, let's agree on this and let's go and do it," he added.
Jaishankar highlighted recent examples like the connectivity initiative involving India, Middle Eastern countries, European countries, and the US, as well as other alliances like the QUAD and the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure, which operate independently.
"The UN will continue, but increasingly there's a non-UN space, which is the active space," he concluded.
India has long been batting for expansion of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) in both permanent and non-permanent categories, as well as reform in its working methods.
The government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been, according to the highest priority, to obtain a permanent membership for India in an expanded UNSC. The process of UNSC Reforms is being presently discussed under the Inter-Governmental Negotiation (IGN) framework of the UN General Assembly.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), India is also working alongside other reform-oriented countries through its membership in G-4 (India, Japan, Brazil and Germany) and the L.69 Group (a cross-regional group of countries from Asia, Africa and Latin America) for building support among the UN Member States for expansion in both permanent and non-permanent categories.
EAM Jaishankar calls on visiting Maldives President Muizzu, appreciates commitment to enhance bilateral ties
External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar called on Mohamed Muizzu, shortly after the Maldivian President arrived in New Delhi on a five-day state visit - his first since assuming office - at the invitation of President Droupadi Murmu.
Minor's rape & murder: Calcutta HC orders victim's autopsy at a Central hospital, judicial magistrate's presence
The Calcutta High Court, at a specially convened hearing on Sunday on the alleged rape and murder of a minor girl at Jaynagar in West Bengal's South 24 Parganas district, directed that the autopsy of the body of the victim be conducted at a Central-run hospital in the state in presence of a judicial magistrate.
AI can be as dangerous for world as nuclear weapons: EAM Jaishankar
External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar on Sunday said that artificial intelligence (AI) will be a profound factor for the world, after nuclear weapons.
CM Adityanath announces complete ban on meat & alcohol during Mahakumbh in Prayagraj
During the Mahakumbh 2025, the sale of meat and alcohol will be prohibited within the limits of Prayagraj. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced this on Sunday in the presence of representatives from all 13 akhadas. He stated that the Mahakumbh is organised under the guidance of the akhadas, which are the flag bearers of Sanatan Dharma, with the state government providing support.
RBI MPC likely to maintain status quo on policy rates: Experts
The RBI’s monetary policy committee (MPC) meeting from October 7-9 is unlikely to cut the benchmark interest rate and a dovish tone could set the direction moving forward, industry experts said on Sunday.
CBI gets clues on how Sandip Ghosh-Ashish Pandey nexus accepted cash through paper leaks
The CBI officials probing the case of financial irregularities at R.G. Kar Medical College & Hospital in Kolkata have got specific clues about how the former principal Sandip Ghosh through his house staff Ashish Pandey used to accept cash by leaking question paper to medical students eager to pay money for easy success.
CM Yogi unveils MahaKumbh-2025 logo, launches website & app
The logo will be used on the website, app, and other platforms related to the MahaKumbh event. It will guide pilgrims and tourists to the event's location by air, rail and road.
Chennai enthralled at IAF airshow, the first in South India
The aerobatic power of the Indian Air Force (IAF) was on full display in Chennai with people glued to the sky during the first airshow underway down south on Sunday.