India Urges Urgent UN Reform: EAM Jaishankar Calls for Modernization

In a significant address at the United Nations Troop Contributing Countries (UNTCC) Chiefs’ Conclave held in New Delhi, External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar emphasized the urgent need for comprehensive reform of the United Nations. Highlighting that the UN still reflects the geopolitical realities of 1945 rather than those of 2025, Jaishankar warned that without meaningful adaptation, the organization risks losing its relevance and credibility on the global stage.

India's EAM Jaishankar . File image/PTI | Firstpost

The Need for Reform

Jaishankar underscored that the UN’s structures and decision-making processes have not evolved in tandem with global power shifts and the changing nature of international conflicts over the past eight decades. While the organization’s membership has grown dramatically since 1945, its core structures, particularly the Security Council, remain largely unchanged. This has created a disconnect between the UN’s composition and the contemporary global landscape, limiting its ability to respond effectively to new challenges. He stressed that reform is necessary not only to maintain legitimacy but also to ensure the UN can continue to serve as a cornerstone of international peace and security.

India’s Perspective on Peacekeeping

India, as one of the largest contributors to UN peacekeeping missions, has consistently advocated for reforms that make peacekeeping operations more effective and inclusive. Jaishankar reiterated that India’s approach to peacekeeping is rooted in the civilizational ethos of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam—the world is one family. He emphasized that global cooperation must be guided by principles of justice, inclusivity, and mutual respect. India’s extensive involvement in peacekeeping, humanitarian assistance, and development initiatives worldwide reflects its readiness to assume greater responsibilities within a reformed, more representative UN.

Addressing Modern Conflict Challenges

Highlighting the evolving nature of global conflicts, Jaishankar noted that contemporary peacekeepers face unprecedented challenges. Traditional peacekeeping, which primarily involved acting as a buffer between warring states, is no longer sufficient. Modern conflicts frequently involve non-state actors and asymmetric warfare, requiring peacekeepers to protect civilians, respond to humanitarian crises, and operate in highly complex environments. Jaishankar stressed that peacekeeping strategies must be recalibrated to address these new realities, ensuring missions are both relevant and effective.

Advocating Inclusive Decision-Making

Jaishankar called for a more inclusive approach to decision-making in UN peacekeeping operations. He emphasized that mandates should be developed in close consultation with all stakeholders, including troop-contributing and host nations, to ensure that missions are aligned with ground realities. Such inclusivity would not only enhance the effectiveness of UN operations but also strengthen the sense of shared responsibility among member nations.

India’s Commitment to a Reformed UN

Reiterating India’s commitment to global peace and security, Jaishankar highlighted the country’s willingness to play a larger role in a reformed United Nations. He pointed out that India’s extensive contributions to international peacekeeping, along with its engagement in humanitarian and development initiatives, position it as a key player ready to assume greater responsibilities within a more inclusive and representative global order.

The MGMM Outlook

India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has issued a powerful call for urgent reform of the United Nations, highlighting that the institution still operates on structures rooted in 1945. From India’s perspective, this outdated framework limits the UN’s ability to address modern conflicts, which increasingly involve non-state actors and complex humanitarian crises. Jaishankar emphasized that the UN must evolve to reflect contemporary realities, ensuring that peacekeeping operations are effective, inclusive, and guided by the principle of justice. India’s active participation in global peacekeeping and humanitarian efforts demonstrates its readiness to take on greater responsibilities within a reformed, representative international system.

Building on its civilizational ethos of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, India advocates for a United Nations that embraces cooperation, inclusivity, and shared responsibility among member nations. By calling for more consultative and adaptive decision-making in peacekeeping, India underscores its vision of a global order where every nation contributes meaningfully to collective security. Jaishankar’s address reflects India’s commitment to fostering a UN that is not only relevant in the modern era but also capable of upholding peace and stability across the world.

(Sources: NDTV, Firstpost, The New Indian Express)