15 July,2026 10:52 AM IST | United Nations | mid-day online correspondent
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India has expressed concern over the declining public confidence in the United Nations, stating that the organisation's inability to reform the Security Council and respond effectively to global conflicts has weakened its credibility and raised questions about its effectiveness in maintaining international peace and security.
Speaking at a ministerial roundtable on "Making Multilateralism Fit for the Future", India's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, P. Harish, said the Security Council's failure to respond decisively to ongoing conflicts had adversely affected the global perception of the UN.
The meeting was held as part of discussions on implementing the Pact for the Future adopted by world leaders in 2024.
Harish said the Security Council had failed to intervene meaningfully in several major conflicts around the world, resulting in prolonged human suffering and diminishing trust in the United Nations.
"Public perception about the UN has changed adversely in the recent past primarily due to the Security Council's inability to meaningfully intervene in raging conflicts across different parts of the globe", he said.
"The Security Council has been ineffective in putting an end to human suffering among the affected populations", he added, saying this had called into question the body's ability to fulfil its core responsibility of maintaining international peace and security.
Highlighting the need for institutional reforms, Harish said the UN's existing structure, established after the Second World War nearly 80 years ago, is no longer equipped to address present-day global challenges.
He said progress on reforming the Security Council had remained elusive despite years of negotiations.
"The Intergovernmental Negotiations (IGN) for Council reform have been limited to an endless cycle of prepared statements," he said.
Harish argued that meaningful reforms were necessary to make the Security Council more representative, effective and capable of addressing contemporary geopolitical realities.
Referring to the commitments made under the Pact for the Future, Harish said several action points had not translated into meaningful outcomes.
He noted that the provisions relating to ending violence, racism and xenophobia, promoting gender equality and strengthening peacekeeping strategies had seen little progress.
"Therefore, the Pact's Action Points on 39 to 42 have largely remained on paper," he said.
"This is untenable and must change," he added.
Harish also said India had expressed reservations about some of the action points during negotiations but chose to support the broader framework in a constructive spirit.
Apart from Security Council reform, Harish stressed the importance of strengthening other key UN institutions.
He said the General Assembly should be revitalised and called for a stronger role for the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) in advancing sustainable development across economic, social and environmental sectors.
On the development priorities of the Global South, Harish reiterated India's commitment to inclusive growth.
"Our commitment is unwavering to leave no one behind, to mobilise resources where they matter most, and to lead by example," he said.
Harish also called for reforms in international financial institutions, saying they should become more representative, responsive and development-oriented while continuing to fulfil their existing mandates.
He emphasised that adequate, affordable and predictable financing remains essential for achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Concluding his remarks, Harish said India's approach to multilateral cooperation continues to be guided by its civilisational philosophy.
"India carries this paradigm forward grounded in our civilizational ethos of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, or the whole world is a family," he said.
(With inputs from IANS)
