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New Delhi: India’s Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar has once again raised a sharp question on the United Nations. Speaking at the Conference of Heads of United Nations Troop Contributing Countries (UNTCC 2025), he said the UN still reflects the world of 1945 instead of 2025. He stressed that an organization which refuses to reform risks becoming outdated.
Jaishankar underlined that India’s approach to peacekeeping is based on its civilizational ethos. He reminded the gathering that for India the world is one family. He added that this principle is not just philosophy, but practical guidance for today’s global order.
Addressing military leaders from countries contributing troops to UN missions, Jaishankar said it was a privilege to speak before them. He described them as peacemakers, protectors and ambassadors of hope. According to him, UN peacekeeping has stood like a lighthouse in a conflict-ridden world for nearly eight decades.
He explained that India’s peacekeeping role is guided by justice and inclusiveness. India believes in cooperation built on fairness and respect, he stressed. He pointed out that without fairness, global institutions lose credibility. He also linked India’s peacekeeping to the idea of shared responsibility among nations.
Jaishankar strongly connected India’s peacebuilding philosophy with the ancient vision of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam. He said India sees the world as one family, not as separate rivals. This cultural wisdom, according to him, is also a foundation for modern diplomacy. He stressed that India works for justice, dignity, and prosperity for all societies.
For decades, India has supported multilateralism and international cooperation. He insisted that peace cannot be selective or narrow. Instead, peacebuilding must benefit all regions and people equally. This inclusive view, he added, is what makes India’s voice different on the world stage.
During his speech, Jaishankar turned his focus to the United Nations itself. He pointed out that while 80 years have passed, the UN’s core structure has not changed. The number of member states has increased four times since 1945. Yet decision-making power remains with a few.
He warned that if the UN does not adapt to modern realities, it risks irrelevance. He added that irrelevance brings loss of legitimacy. Without reforms, global crises will find no neutral platform. He insisted the UN must change to stay trusted. This, he said, is India’s consistent demand for years.
Sharing his recent experience from the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Jaishankar said the disconnect was clear. He argued that the UN continues to operate with a mindset shaped by World War II. But today’s challenges include terrorism, climate change, technology and economic inequality.
These cannot be solved with outdated frameworks. He said countries want cooperation, not dominance by a few powers. He reminded leaders that when institutions fail to update, they stop serving the people. The minister underlined that the UN must reflect today’s diverse and multipolar world. Only then can it serve its purpose.