“Any meaningful reform is obstructed using the reform process itself,” he added, noting that sustaining the UN while seeking its reinvention is a major challenge for the world. Jaishankar also suggested that the UN has failed to address pressing global issues
EAM Jaishankar speaks during an event to mark the 80th anniversary of UN, in Delhi on Friday. PIC/X
India on Friday highlighted Pakistan’s attempts at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to shield the terror outfit responsible for the Pahalgam attack, pointing out that the global body’s work has been “gridlocked” due to the lack of urgent reforms, news agency PTI reported.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar also criticised those who equate victims and perpetrators of terrorism in the name of global strategy, in an apparent reference to the hyphenation of India and Pakistan in the context of the dastardly terror strike.
Jaishankar was speaking at an event to mark the 80th anniversary of UN.
In his address, the foreign minister said, “all is not well” with the UN, as its debates have become “increasingly polarised” and its functioning “visibly gridlocked”, PTI reported.
“Any meaningful reform is obstructed using the reform process itself,” he added, noting that sustaining the UN while seeking its reinvention is a major challenge for the world.
“Few examples are more telling about the challenges facing the UN than its response to terrorism. When a sitting Security Council member openly protects the very organisation that claims responsibility for the barbaric terror attack such as at Pahalgam, what does it do to the credibility of multilateralism?” Jaishankar questioned.
Speaking at the UN@80 celebrations New Delhi.
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) October 24, 2025
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Though he did not directly name Pakistan, his remarks clearly referred to the neighbouring country.
“Similarly, if victims and perpetrators of terrorism are equated in the name of global strategy, how much more cynical can the world get? When self-proclaimed terrorists are shielded from the sanctioning process, what does it say for the sincerity of those involved?” he asked.
Pakistan is currently a member of the UNSC. It had held the chair of the top global body in July.
The council comprises 15 members, including five permanent ones – China, France, Russian Federation, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Ten non-permanent members are elected for two-year terms by the General Assembly. The UNSC presidency rotates among members on a monthly basis.
The Resistance Front (TRF), a proxy of the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terror group, had claimed responsibility for the Pahalgam attack. TRF was mentioned in a UNSC report in July for its role in the attack.
According to officials, Pakistan had attempted to remove references to TRF in the UNSC press statement condemning the April 22 Pahalgam attack.
Jaishankar also suggested that the UN has failed to address pressing global issues.
“If the maintenance of international peace and security has become lip service, the predicament of development and socio-economic progress is even more serious,” he said.
“The slowing down of the SDG Agenda 2030 is a significant metric to measure the distress of the Global South. There are many more, whether it is trade measures, supply chain dependence, or political domination,” he added.
“Yet, on such a notable anniversary, we cannot abandon hope. However difficult, the commitment to multilateralism must remain strong. However flawed, the United Nations must be supported in this time of crisis,” Jaishankar concluded.
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a set of targets designed to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all.
(With PTI inputs)
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