UN In A State Of Crisis, India Ready To Take On Greater Global Role: Jaishankar At UNGA

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, addressing the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on Saturday (27 September), strongly pressed for reform of the UN Security Council, condemned cross-border terrorism, and reiterated India’s commitment to the Global South.

Call for Reform and Multilateralism

Jaishankar declared that the UN was in a “state of crisis,” unable to prevent wars, drive development, or uphold rights effectively. He said that resistance to reform had eroded trust in multilateralism.

“The historical injustice done to Africa should be redressed. Both permanent and non-permanent membership of the Council must be expanded. A reformed Council must be truly representative. And India stands ready to assume greater responsibilities,” he stated.

Criticism of Double Standards

Pointing to conflicts in Ukraine and West Asia, slow progress on the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), inequity in vaccine access during the pandemic, and unequal energy and food distribution, Jaishankar accused wealthy nations of shielding themselves while poorer nations struggled.

“Better-off societies insulated themselves by having the first call. The resource-stressed ones scrambled to survive, only to hear sanctimonious lectures thereafter,” he remarked.

Terrorism and Cross-Border Attacks

Counter-terrorism remained a central theme of India’s address.

Without explicitly naming Pakistan, Jaishankar condemned nations that use terrorism as “state policy” and recalled the killing of tourists in Pahalgam in April 2025 as the latest instance of cross-border attacks.

“UN’s designated lists of terrorists are replete with nationals of one country,” Jaishankar said, in a veiled reference to Pakistan.

He stressed that the financing of terrorism must be choked and that those sponsoring terror must face “relentless pressure.”

"When nations openly declare terrorism as state policy, when terror hubs operate on an industrial scale, when terrorists are publicly glorified, then such actions must be unequivocally condemned. The financing of terrorism must be choked, even as prominent terrorists are sanctioned. Relentless pressure must be applied on the entire terrorism eco-system. Those who condone nations that sponsor terror will find that it comes back to bite them," he said.

India’s Role in the Global South

Positioning India as a leader of the Global South, Jaishankar highlighted that Bharat had undertaken 600 major development projects in 78 countries.

He emphasised India’s role as a “first responder” in humanitarian aid, with relief operations in 19 nations last year, including Afghanistan and Myanmar.

“Our soldiers ensure peacekeeping, our sailors protect maritime shipping, our doctors and teachers facilitate human development the world over,” he said, underlining India’s global contributions.

Technology, Development and Vision

Jaishankar also pointed to India’s achievements under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, citing digital public infrastructure, start-up growth, and innovation.

He announced that India will host an AI Summit in 2026, stressing responsible use of artificial intelligence for inclusion and welfare.

He framed India’s global approach around three principles:

• Atmanirbharta (self-reliance) – building indigenous strength in manufacturing, space, pharma, and digital tech.

• Atmaraksha (self-protection) – zero-tolerance for terrorism and robust border defence.

• Atmavishwas (self-confidence) – confidence as the world’s most populous nation and a civilizational state.

Call for Peace

On ongoing conflicts, Jaishankar reiterated India’s stance of dialogue and peace.

“Nations who can engage all sides must step up in the search for solutions. India calls for an end to hostilities and will support any initiative that will help restore peace,” he said, referring to Ukraine and Gaza.

Reformed Multilateralism

Concluding, Jaishankar urged nations to commit to “reformed multilateralism” in the UN’s ninth decade, asserting that Bharat would “do its fair share, and more” to build a world of justice, progress, and lasting freedom.

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