United Nations: External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has said that the United Nations cannot remain a prisoner of the past and the countries of the Global South cannot continue to be ignored. Adequate representation of these countries in the permanent category of the United Nations Security Council is now imperative.

Speaking at the second meeting of the G-20 Foreign Ministers of Brazil, 2024, Jaishankar said, "The world has evolved into a smart, interconnected and multipolar region and the number of members of the United Nations has quadrupled since its inception. Yet the UN remains a captive of the past."

He said that as a result of this, the United Nations Security Council struggles to fulfil its responsibility of maintaining international peace and stability, thereby reducing its effectiveness and credibility.

We should not be ignored

Jaishankar said that without reforms, including expansion in both categories (permanent and temporary) of the Security Council, the 15-member body will continue to lack effectiveness. Asia, Africa and Latin America i.e. the Global South cannot be continued to be ignored. Real changes are needed and need to be made fast.

Every country in the world is capable of flourishing

Jaishankar also said that India remains firm in its commitment to a rules-based, non-discriminatory, fair, open, inclusive, equitable and transparent multilateral trading system with the World Trade Organisation (WTO) at its centre. He said that India strongly supports policies that promote trade and investment, enabling every country to flourish in an interconnected and dynamic world.