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| FM S Jaishankar Photo by PTI |
By Tamsil Shahezad Khan | Updated: October 24, 2025, 12:38 IST |
New Delhi - External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has expressed concern over the state of the United Nations, stating that “all is not well” within the organisation and that its decisions no longer align with global priorities.
Speaking at an event commemorating the UN’s 80th anniversary, where a special postage stamp was unveiled, Jaishankar said that the UN’s internal discussions have become increasingly “polarised and detached from real-world issues.”
“In an era marked by conflict, the world needs peace — and that is what this postage stamp symbolises,” Jaishankar remarked. “But the reality is that all is not well with the UN.”
The minister’s comments come as India and several nations, including Brazil and members of the African Union, continue to push for reforms in the UN Security Council (UNSC). Jaishankar emphasised that while reform is urgently needed, the process itself is being used as a tool to stall genuine change.
“Meaningful reform in the UN is being blocked by using the reform process itself,” he said, adding that the organisation’s decisions no longer represent either its membership or the changing global landscape.
His remarks follow a recent diplomatic exchange after Switzerland, which currently heads the UN Human Rights Commission, called on India to safeguard minority rights and ensure freedom of expression. India responded sharply, urging Switzerland to address its own issues of racism, xenophobia, and systemic discrimination first.
Jaishankar’s comments also came amid Pakistan’s continued attempts to misuse UN platforms to spread misinformation about Kashmir. On Thursday, Indian representatives rebuked Pakistani diplomats for describing terrorists as “freedom fighters,” reiterating that “victims and perpetrators of terrorism cannot be equated.”
Despite his criticism, Jaishankar reaffirmed India’s commitment to the UN, saying that the country has always supported the organisation’s founding principles but expects it to evolve to meet modern challenges. “India has always stood by the United Nations and will continue to do so,” he said.
As the UN completes 80 years, Jaishankar’s remarks reflect a growing global sentiment — that without timely and meaningful reform, the world body risks losing touch with the realities and priorities of the 21st century.
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