All is not well with the UN : S. Jai Shankar

New Delhi : On the occasion of the United Nations' 80th anniversary, India has sent a clear message that all is not well within the world's largest multilateral forum, the United Nations, and that its decision-making process neither reflects its members nor addresses global priorities. India says that debates within the multilateral forum are becoming increasingly polarized, and its functioning is clearly hampered.
External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar released a commemorative postage stamp in New Delhi to mark the UN's anniversary.

On this occasion, he stated that in this era of conflict and mistrust, the need for peace is greater than ever, but the UN is failing to fulfill its responsibilities. Jaishankar stated unequivocally, "All is not well with the UN." He warned that the United Nations needs serious reforms to maintain its relevance. The External Affairs Minister stated that India has always been and will continue to be a strong supporter of the UN, but without the inclusion of voices from the global South and a genuine balance of power, the organization will remain unilateral and ineffective.

The External Affairs Minister wrote on the social media platform 'X', "I am delighted to release a commemorative postage stamp in New Delhi today to mark the 80th anniversary of the United Nations. Congratulations to the Indian Post Office for successfully organizing an open competition for the design of this commemorative stamp. This stamp aptly reflects the need for peace in this age of conflict. This stamp highlights the need for reformed multilateralism that reflects the hopes and aspirations of the global South and underlines India's firm commitment to the ideals of the United Nations and broad international cooperation."

Jaishankar also criticized China and Pakistan, without naming them, for their double standards on terrorism. He sarcastically remarked that when self-proclaimed terrorists are shielded from the banning process, it raises serious questions about the integrity of those who claim to fight terrorism. The comment clearly points to China, which has repeatedly blocked resolutions in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to ban the leaders of Pakistan-based terrorist organizations Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba.

(Report: Shashwat Tiwari)