Modi Critiques UN Effectiveness Amid Global Conflicts

During a podcast interview with American scientist Lex Fridman, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi criticized the effectiveness of international organizations, such as the United Nations, in addressing current global conflicts, pointing to ongoing Middle East wars and tensions between China and the US. PM Modi expressed concerns about the increasing irrelevance of these institutions due to a lack of reform, stating that they are unable to enforce laws or curb the actions of those disregarding rules. Reflecting on the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, PM Modi highlighted how it exposed vulnerabilities across nations, despite their advancements and progress. He lamented that instead of fostering global unity, the pandemic was followed by increased disunity and uncertainty on the world stage, exacerbated by ongoing conflicts. Emphasizing the need to shift from conflict to cooperation, PM Modi advocated for a development-focused approach, highlighting that in a world as interconnected and interdependent as ours, expansionism is not viable. He urged nations to support one another and expressed hope for alleviating global conflicts. In the past, at the UN's 'Summit of the Future', PM Modi emphasized the necessity of reform in the United Nations to maintain its relevance, urging that global actions must align with global ambitions. India has long campaigned for a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), arguing that the current structure, established in 1945, no longer reflects contemporary geopolitical realities. India served as a non-permanent member of the UNSC in 2021-22, and while the council's permanent members—Russia, the UK, China, France, and the US—hold veto power, the US, UK, and France have shown support for India joining as a permanent member.