External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has called on the United Nations to move beyond what he described as institutional passivity and undertake long-pending structural reforms, arguing that the organisation must demonstrate leadership rather than remain a spectator to global crises.

Speaking at the Chinmaya Amrit Mahotsav Global Sammelan on ‘Non-Dualism for World Understanding’ at Bharat Mandapam on the occasion of UN Day, Jaishankar said the international community cannot afford to remain helpless while conflicts in Ukraine and West Asia continue to inflict economic and social costs on countries and populations far removed from the battlefields.

Highlighting the original purpose of the United Nations, he noted that the global governance architecture established eight decades ago under Article 1 of the UN Charter was intended to serve as a centre for harmonising international action. However, he argued that institutional paralysis now leaves nations with no role in triggering conflicts bearing significant consequences from them.

Jaishankar said the world has long wrestled with a fundamental debate between competition and cooperation. While competition reflects nations acting primarily in their own interests, cooperation embodies collective efforts to address shared challenges.

According to him, the creation of the United Nations after the Second World War represented a conscious global choice in favour of cooperation, making UN Day a reminder of that spirit of collective responsibility.

He observed that the concept of oneness is particularly relevant at a time when many of the challenges confronting humanity transcend national borders and require collaborative solutions. He stressed that the most effective responses to global opportunities and crises emerge through collective action rather than unilateral approaches.

“Humankind has witnessed perpetual arguments between those who stress competitiveness and others who see a virtue in cooperation. These may be individual or even societal predicaments, but on the global stage, they translate into how nations behave with one another. The collective and cooperative instincts of the world were articulated, were expressed eight decades ago in the founding of the United Nations.

It is fitting, therefore, that we gather to advance a sense of oneness as we celebrate the UN Day. After all, whether it is the challenges or the opportunities that confront the world, these can be best, most effectively addressed collectively,” Jaishankar said.

Drawing attention to the wars in Ukraine and West Asia, the External Affairs Minister underscored how the impact of such conflicts extends far beyond the countries directly involved. Rising fuel costs, food insecurity, supply chain disruptions and broader economic instability have affected societies and economies around the world, including those with little influence over the conflicts themselves.

“There are today two major conflicts going on in the world: in Ukraine and in West Asia or the Middle East. Societies and economies, peoples far away, who have little say in the matter, are actually paying the cost. We cannot remain helpless spectators,” he said.

Jaishankar reiterated India’s view that dialogue and diplomacy remain the only viable path to resolving ongoing conflicts. He said India’s position reflects a broader global sentiment that wars cannot deliver sustainable solutions and confirmed that New Delhi remains willing to work with partners to advance peace efforts.

“India expresses global sentiment when we urge that dialogue and diplomacy are the only solution. We are making efforts ourselves and are open to working with other partners to that end,” he added.

A central theme of his address was the growing urgency of reforming global institutions, particularly the United Nations Security Council. Jaishankar argued that contemporary geopolitical realities are not reflected in current decision-making structures and that large sections of the developing world, especially countries of the Global South, continue to be underrepresented in global governance mechanisms.

Calling for reformed multilateralism, he said the case for change becomes stronger with each passing day as emerging powers and developing nations seek a greater voice in decisions that affect international peace, security and economic stability.

“We live in an imperfect world, but we all continuously strive towards greater perfection. Where the UN is concerned, that means recognising its shortcomings and limitations, and seeking its improvement. The case for reformed multilateralism gets stronger by the day. Large parts of the world cannot be left out of decision-making,” Jaishankar stated.

He further emphasised that the United Nations must actively shape responses to international crises rather than merely observe events as they unfold.

“On this occasion, even as we recognise the need for such long-awaited changes, let us renew our commitment to work together. We are common, we are shared, we are united,” he said.

UN Day, observed annually on 24 October, commemorates the entry into force of the UN Charter in 1945. The organisation formally came into existence after the charter was ratified by the majority of its signatories, including the five permanent members of the Security Council.

Yet the anniversary arrives amid growing scrutiny of the institution’s effectiveness. The United Nations was established with the pledge to “save succeeding generations from the scourge of war”, but many observers argue that its post-war structure has struggled to adapt to twenty-first century realities.

Critics point out that the Security Council continues to reflect the power distribution of 1945, with the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Russia and China retaining permanent membership and veto authority.

Meanwhile, major contemporary powers such as India, Brazil, Japan and South Africa remain outside the permanent decision-making framework despite representing a substantial proportion of the world’s population and economic influence.

The veto system has become a particular source of criticism. Because any permanent member can block a resolution, action involving a major power or one of its close partners often becomes impossible. This has repeatedly exposed divisions within the Security Council and limited the organisation’s ability to respond decisively to major international crises.

Recent conflicts have intensified concerns over the UN’s effectiveness. The Russia-Ukraine war highlighted sharp divisions within the Security Council, while disagreements among permanent members over the conflict in Gaza repeatedly prevented consensus on resolutions. As diplomatic deadlock persisted, fighting continued on the ground.

Beyond these high-profile conflicts, the organisation has also faced criticism for its limited ability to influence developments in Sudan, Myanmar and Afghanistan, where instability, conflict and political upheaval have continued despite international concern.

As confidence in multilateral institutions has weakened, countries have increasingly pursued alternative security arrangements and regional groupings such as the Quad, AUKUS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation. These mechanisms are often viewed as more agile and responsive, although they operate outside the United Nations framework.

The challenges facing the UN are not only geopolitical. Observers note that renewed great-power rivalry has created conditions reminiscent of Cold War-era competition, making consensus increasingly difficult. The role of the Secretary-General has also come under pressure, with many arguing that the office lacks the authority needed to compel action from powerful states.

At the same time, adherence to international humanitarian law has come under growing strain. Incidents involving UN-linked facilities and personnel in conflict zones have raised wider concerns about respect for international norms and the protection of humanitarian operations.

Financial pressures further complicate the organisation’s work. The UN relies heavily on contributions from member states, and delays or withholding of funds by major contributors can affect peacekeeping operations, humanitarian missions and development activities.

Against this backdrop, Jaishankar’s remarks reflected a broader international debate about the future of global governance. His call for reformed multilateralism underscored India’s longstanding position that the United Nations must evolve to remain credible, representative and effective in addressing contemporary challenges.

Eighty years after the founding of the organisation, the question increasingly being asked by governments and analysts alike is whether the United Nations can successfully reform itself to meet modern realities, or whether it risks becoming what Jaishankar warned against: a spectator to the very crises it was created to prevent.

ANI