Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his Sunday appearance on American scientist Lex Fridman’s podcast, bitterly attacked the United Nations and other international bodies as ineffective in a time of intensifying global hostilities – by referencing the never-ending Middle Eastern conflicts and tensions with China and US. To PM Modi, the bodies are “almost irrelevant” since “there is no reform” possible anymore in them.
“The global institutions that were formed have turned out to be almost useless, there is no change in them. Institutions such as the UN cannot perform their role. Individuals in the world who do not believe in laws and regulations are doing everything, nobody can stop them,” the Prime Minister stated.
The PM recalled learnings from the Covid-19 pandemic, which revealed vulnerabilities of all nations, and highlighted the importance of oneness in the face of surging global tensions.
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“Covid-19 has brought to the fore the limitations of all of us. Whatever we think of ourselves as a great nation, very progressive, very scientifically advanced, whatever it is, each one in their own way, but during the times of Covid-19, all of us came down to earth, all countries of the world. And then it appeared that the world would learn something from it, and we would head towards a new world order. But unfortunately, the circumstances were such that instead of heading towards peace, the world fell apart, an era of uncertainty arrived, and the war put it into more trouble,” PM Modi explained to Mr Fridman.
PM Modi urged a change from conflict to cooperation, propounding a development-based approach as the future. Expansionism won’t be feasible in an interdependent and interconnected world, he said, emphasizing that countries need to assist each other.
“As I have mentioned, the world is connected, interdependent.Everyone is dependent on everyone, no one can do anything by themselves. And I see that in all the various forums that I have to attend, everyone is concerned about conflict. We pray to get respite from it very soon,” the PM further added.
Earlier, PM Modi, during his speech at the UN’s ‘Summit of the Future’, had issued a clarion call for change from the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) podium, saying reform is the password to staying relevant. He went on to state that international action “must match” international ambition.
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India’s quest for permanent membership in UNSC
India has been insisting for decades that it is worthy of a place at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) table. New Delhi has insisted that the 15-member council established in 1945 is not suited for the task of the 21st Century and does not account for geo-political realities today. India’s last turn at the UN top table was as a non-permanent member from 2021-22.
Currently, the UNSC is made up of five permanent and 10 non-permanent member states that are elected by the United Nations General Assembly for two years. Russia, the UK, China, France, and the US are the five permanent members and can veto any meaningful resolution. France and the UK, and the US, have expressed support for India being admitted to the UNSC.
