“UN Like Old Company, Not Entirely Keeping Up With Market”: S Jaishankar
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar made bold remarks on Sunday about the United Nations (UN) while speaking at the Kautilya Economic Conclave in New Delhi. He compared the UN to an “old company” that hasn’t fully adapted to the changing global landscape. Jaishankar also discussed India’s role in the world amid shifting geopolitical dynamics and addressed pressing global conflicts. His comments stirred interest, especially as they came at a time when two serious global conflicts are ongoing.
Jaishankar criticized the UN’s role in these conflicts, saying it has become “essentially a bystander.” His sharp words captured the frustrations many have expressed about the organization, which was founded in 1945 with only 50 member countries and has since expanded to almost four times that size. Despite its growth, Jaishankar pointed out that the UN often struggles to keep up with the rapid changes in the world, much like a company that occupies a market space but fails to innovate.
He specifically referenced the COVID-19 pandemic, saying that the UN played a minimal role in addressing the crisis. Countries, he noted, took the initiative into their own hands with projects like Covax—a global collaboration to ensure fair access to vaccines. Jaishankar argued that when the UN fails to step up, countries come together in smaller groups to handle pressing issues.
He highlighted the growing importance of collaborations outside of the UN framework, citing several examples. These included the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), the QUAD in the Indo-Pacific, the International Solar Alliance (ISA), and the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI). According to Jaishankar, these initiatives reflect the increasing “non-UN space” where countries are finding more effective ways to cooperate. This shift, he said, is a clear sign that the UN is losing relevance in some key areas.
The minister’s remarks extended to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), which has long been a topic of contention for India. India has called for reforms in the UN and its Security Council to reflect the realities of the modern world. Jaishankar noted earlier this year that the permanent members of the UNSC—Russia, the UK, China, France, and the US—have been resistant to change. Their ability to veto any resolution has caused frustration for countries that believe the structure is outdated.
Moving away from the UN topic, Jaishankar also addressed questions on the upcoming US elections. He spoke about the geopolitical and economic shifts the US has made in recent years. Regardless of the outcome of the elections, Jaishankar believes that many of these changes will persist. He stressed that the policies enacted during the Trump administration have not only been carried over by President Biden but have been strengthened. He suggested that the US has realized the old world order no longer serves its interests as effectively as it once did.
This led Jaishankar to predict a “more fractured world” in the coming years. He believes that reliability and transparency will become crucial metrics for countries when deciding how to interact with one another. This evolving global order, in his view, will shape the future of international relations.
During the interaction, Jaishankar also touched on India’s regional role, particularly in helping neighboring countries like Sri Lanka. He acknowledged the paradox that India represents—a rising global power with its own set of challenges and responsibilities.
Jaishankar was also asked about his upcoming visit to Pakistan for a summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO). He quickly clarified that his visit was for a multilateral event and not for bilateral discussions with Pakistan. He reaffirmed that his role at the summit would focus solely on representing India at the event, steering clear of any talks about India-Pakistan relations.
On Saturday, Jaishankar made a similar statement, emphasizing that his visit to Islamabad for the SCO meeting was strictly related to the multilateral event. This is consistent with India’s current stance of limiting bilateral engagements with Pakistan.
Wrapping up his talk, Jaishankar reflected on the role of the Global South. He emphasized that India does not seek to lead the Global South but rather to be a trusted and articulate member. He noted the importance of this collective in shaping future global cooperation.
Jaishankar also briefly discussed the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in shaping the world, noting its growing influence on global economies and political strategies. However, he didn’t delve deeply into this topic, focusing more on the UN and India’s place in the global order.
Jaishankar’s remarks are likely to fuel further discussion about the relevance of the UN in today’s world and India’s emerging role as a key player in global geopolitics. His candid statements, particularly about the UN’s diminishing influence, highlight the growing frustration with multilateral institutions that seem out of sync with modern challenges. As the world continues to evolve, it remains to be seen how organizations like the UN will adapt, or whether new alliances will emerge to take their place.
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