Dr Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, the External Affairs Minister of India, has claimed that the United Nations (UN) would gradually lose its relevance, as well as credibility; if it fails to understand the realities of the 21st Century.

Speaking at the UN Troop Contributing Countries Chiefs’ Conclave (UNTCC 2025) in New Delhi on October 16, 2025, Dr Jaishankar stressed that the World Body “continues to mirror the world of 1945 rather than the realities of 2025”. Hence, the need for reform has become urgent, he added. According to the Indian minister, the geostrategic landscape has changed dramatically in the last eight decades. “Eighty years is a long time by any standards, and during this period, the UN membership has actually quadrupled,” he stressed. Therefore, it has become important for the UN to adapt to changing realities. Else, it would become obsolete.

Dr Jaishankar told the audience that the UN should be “more inclusive, democratic, participative and representative of today’s world“. The credibility of the UN depends on its ability to “amplify the voices of the Developing World and reflect the aspirations of the rising Global South“, he stated. Meanwhile, the seasoned diplomat-turned-politician acknowledged that several UN member-countries supported the expansion of both Permanent and Non-Permanent categories of the UN Security Council (UNSC). At the same time, he stated: “The process of reform itself is being used to derail the agenda, and as a result, historical injustices still continue.” He also reaffirmed India’s commitment to taking on greater responsibilities in a reformed UN and a reformed Multilateral Order.

Dr Jaishankar has further expressed a serious concern about terrorism, saying that it has become increasingly difficult for the global community to tackle the menace. “The nature of war has changed. Terrorism is also a different type of war, fought by non-state actors without any uniforms. No rules of war are followed in this case,” he stated. The minister has explained that the traditional role of the Peacekeeping Forces is to create an atmosphere of peace between two warring states. However, the whole thing has taken a new shape. Now, the Peacekeeping Forces need cutting-edge technology and advanced training to counter terrorists.

Dr Jaishankar has informed the international community that India’s approach to peacekeeping is deeply rooted in its civilisational ethos and guided by the principle of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam or the world is one family, stressing: “We see the world as one family, a vision enshrined in the timeless phrase ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’. This is not just cultural wisdom, but an outlook that anchors our worldview.” He added: “It is why India has consistently advocated for justice, dignity, opportunity and prosperity for all societies and people. It is also why we place our faith in multilateralism and international partnerships.“

Dr Jaishankar did not forget to underscore the role of innovation. He said: “Technology and peacekeeping go hand in hand and are a force multiplier in peacekeeping operations. As a nation that has embraced innovation, let me underline that India stands ready to be a technology demonstrator to enhance the operational capacity of peacekeeping.” The minister added: “To address the needs of strategic communication, we must strive to counter misinformation and disinformation. The role of ICT is therefore very important.” He, meanwhile, urged the global community to give paramount importance to the safety and security of peacekeepers, stressing: “We must always ensure that perpetrators of any attack on them are brought to justice.“

The External Affairs minister has highlighted the interconnected challenges of the modern era, as he is of the opinion that global crises – from pandemics and terrorism to economic instability and Climate Change – demand cooperative, rather than competitive, responses. “Our responses must transcend the competitive aspects of international politics. The natural starting point for such collaborations is the UN,” he stressed.

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Published by Koushik Das

Koushik Das (born on May 16, 1976 in Kolkata) is a career journalist. Based in the Indian capital of New Delhi, Koushik writes mainly about foreign policies and current geopolitical issues, and rarely about other topics. His own political ideas are highly influenced by Antonio Gramsci, Louis Althusser, Michel Foucault, Michael Oakeshott and others. English philosopher and political theorist Oakeshott (Dec 11, 1901-Dec 19, 1990) says that “in political activity, men sail a boundless and bottomless sea. There is neither harbour for shelter nor floor for anchorage, neither starting-place, nor appointed destination. But we have to keep afloat”. (Rationalism in Politics, 1962) As a student of Political Science, Koushik loves to share his views on issues, which have great impacts on his thought process (and also on India, South Asia and of course on the global community), with his readers through his website – Boundless Ocean of Politics. By doing so, he tries to keep himself afloat. You will find some of his articles in https://inserbia.info/today/ (https://inserbia.info/today/author/kou_das13_i/), as he has been trying to assess the global geopolitics since 2003. You can also mail him at kousdas@gmail.com View all posts by Koushik Das