External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar today said commitment to multilateralism must remain strong and the United Nations must be supported. Speaking at the release of a commemorative postage stamp in New Delhi on 80 years of the United Nations, the Minister reiterated India’s commitment to the ideals of peace and security as well as development and progress. He stressed that India has always been and will continue to be a strong votary of the UN and of multilateralism. 

 

 

Dr. Jaishankar, however, pointed out that all is not well with the UN and its decision-making, which neither reflects its membership nor addresses global priorities. He stated that its debates have become increasingly polarised. He stated that any meaningful reform is obstructed using the reform process itself, and financial constraints have emerged as an additional concern. He highlighted that UN’s response to terrorism is a telling example of the challenges being faced by the UN. He said that when a sitting Security Council member openly protects the very organisation that claims responsibility for the barbaric terror attack at Pahalgam, it raises doubts on the credibility of multilateralism. He called it cynical that victims and perpetrators of terrorism are equated in the name of global strategy. He added that the slowing down of the SDG agenda 2030 is a significant metric to measure the distress of the Global South. 

 

 

Dr Jaishankar said the world is regrettably witnessing multiple major conflicts that not only take a great toll on human lives but also impact the well-being of the entire international community. He said the Global South, in particular, has felt this pain even as the more developed countries insulated themselves from consequences.