New Delhi [India], October 16 (ANI): External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Thursday called for urgent and decisive reform of the United Nations, warning that the institution risks “irrelevance” and “eroding legitimacy” if it fails to adapt to 21st-century realities.
Addressing the United Nations Troop Contributing Countries Chiefs’ Conclave (UNTCC) in New Delhi, Jaishankar said the UN continues to reflect “the realities of 1945, not of 2025,” despite massive geopolitical shifts and a fourfold increase in global membership over the past 80 years.
“For the UN to be effective, it must reform—becoming more inclusive, democratic, participative, and representative of today’s world,” Jaishankar asserted. He added that the reform process must amplify the voices of the developing world and reflect the aspirations of the rising Global South.
“Institutions that fail to adapt risk irrelevance—not just irrelevance but eroding legitimacy—and leaving us without recourse in times of uncertainty,” he said.
Jaishankar addressed military leaders from UN troop-contributing countries, whom he described as “the architects, the upholders, and the messengers of peace.” Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi and India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Parvathaneni Harish, were among those present.
The minister reaffirmed India’s strong support for expanding both the permanent and non-permanent categories of the UN Security Council, while expressing regret that the reform process is often used to “derail that agenda,” allowing “historical injustices” to persist. He reiterated India’s commitment to assume greater responsibilities within a reformed multilateral system.
Highlighting India’s role as the world’s largest cumulative troop contributor to UN peacekeeping, Jaishankar described the missions as one of the UN’s most effective instruments, while also noting critical operational challenges.
“UN peacekeeping, since its inception, has been a testament to what we can achieve when nations unite for a larger cause. Our peacekeepers have been a powerful force for good. These brave sons and daughters put their lives on the line to protect civilians, deliver humanitarian aid, and support fragile peace processes. They are the real torchbearers of multilateralism,” he said.
“Let me honor today the more than 4,000 UN and 182 Indian peacekeepers who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. They stand as a testament to bravery, and their legacy remains a solemn call to action for all of us. We must ensure that their message lives on,” he added.
Jaishankar emphasized that the nature of conflict has fundamentally changed, moving away from state-on-state warfare to a complex landscape involving non-state actors, armed groups, and terrorist organizations using asymmetric tactics such as IEDs and cyber warfare.
“The traditional role of a peacekeeper as a buffer between two warring states has evolved significantly,” he said, calling for a “new paradigm” that requires advanced training, sophisticated technology, and revised mandates to effectively address asymmetric threats.
He outlined seven key areas for strengthening peacekeeping, including mandatory consultations with troop-contributing countries and host states when drafting mission mandates. He stressed that mandates must be realistic, clear, and aligned with available resources, and reaffirmed that the primary responsibility for protecting civilians lies with the host state.
Jaishankar said India stands ready to serve as a technology demonstrator to enhance operational capacity. He also underscored the importance of countering misinformation and disinformation through ICT and insisted that perpetrators of attacks on peacekeepers must be held accountable.
“Participation in UN peace operations is, for India, a profound expression of our responsibility as a member state and of our belief in global commitments. Since inception, we have contributed over 300,000 troops cumulatively, making us the world’s largest troop-contributing country,” he said.
“Our peacekeepers have served and continue to serve with distinction and professionalism in some of the world’s most challenging theaters, including South Sudan, Lebanon, Syria, and the DRC. This sustained commitment stems from our conviction that peace anywhere strengthens peace everywhere,” he added.
The United Nations Troop Contributing Countries Chiefs’ Conclave, held in New Delhi from October 14–16, was hosted by the Indian Army. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh, Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix, Ambassador Parvathaneni Harish, and other senior officers and dignitaries attended the inaugural day’s events to collectively chart the future of global peace operations.
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