India's Jaishankar calls UN 'largely irrelevant' on major conflicts, urges reform

Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar stated the United Nations has become "largely irrelevant" to decision-making on major global conflicts, including those in Ukraine and the Gulf, during the 5th Kautilya Economic Conclave in New Delhi on Monday. Jaishankar attributed the UN's ineffectiveness to a gridlocked Security Council that no longer represents global interests, noting the body's membership has grown fourfold since its founding. He argued that some countries are blocking reform by citing Africa's interests, despite Africa having presented a clear position. The minister emphasized the need to "fix the UN, not to work around the UN," while also criticizing the international trade system for being distorted by non-market practices. He shared the stage with Singapore's former foreign minister at the event themed "Resilience in an Age of Flux."