(source : ANI) ( Photo Credit : ani)
India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar didn’t hold back during his speech at the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York. He pointed out two major ongoing conflicts—the war in Ukraine and the turmoil in the Middle East and West Asia—and asked a tough question: Has the UN really delivered on its promises?
Jaishankar highlighted how the world has changed. “Many of our assumptions and expectations no longer hold,” he said. He talked about economic headaches like tariff volatility, shaky market access, and the push to de-risk supply chains from over-reliance on single sources or markets. Other worries include tight controls on technology, battles over critical minerals, sensitive connectivity projects, threats to key sea lanes, and barriers to a global workplace. All this, he argued, screams for stronger international cooperation—not less.
But Jaishankar wondered if we’re moving in the right direction. He questioned the UN’s impact, especially with “innumerable other hotspots” that barely grab headlines. During the COVID-19 pandemic, for example, unequal access to vaccines and travel restrictions showed deep divides. And when conflicts erupt or terrorism violates human rights, the UN often gets stuck in gridlock, failing to protect peace or boost development.
Looking ahead, Jaishankar urged world leaders to stay resilient amid these challenges. “It is imperative to stay strong, to hold firm and to deepen friendships,” he emphasized. He stressed that international cooperation must win out because “islands of prosperity cannot flourish in an ocean of turbulence.” A true world order needs shared goals and empathy, which is why the UN matters so much.
To make that happen, Jaishankar called for reformed multilateralism. Every UN member should get a fair shot to improve the world, turning the organization’s ninth decade into one of leadership and hope. As belief in multilateralism fades with the UN’s struggles to build consensus, his words serve as a wake-up call for global unity.
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