India has cautioned that public confidence in the United Nations is eroding because of its inability to reform the UN Security Council and to manage global conflicts effectively.
Addressing a ministerial roundtable on “Making Multilateralism Fit for the Future” at the United Nations, India’s Permanent Representative P. Harish stated that the Security Council has not intervened effectively in current conflicts, casting doubt on its capacity to maintain international peace and security.
He stated that the United Nations’ 80-year-old institutional framework is no longer sufficient to address today’s global challenges.
Mr. Harish observed that discussions on reforming the Security Council have been trapped in a perpetual loop of declarations, with no concrete advancement.
He noted that the Action Points outlined in the Pact for the Future—such as eliminating violence, racism and xenophobia, advancing gender equality, and reinforcing peacekeeping—have mostly failed to move beyond written commitments.
Describing this as an untenable situation, he emphasized the urgent need for substantive reforms.
Harish stated that India had major concerns about certain action points in the Pact.
Nevertheless, he noted that India endorsed the Pact in a constructive manner. He further urged efforts to reinvigorate the UN General Assembly and to enhance the role of the Economic and Social Council in promoting sustainable development.
Across the Global South, Harish reiterated India’s commitment to mobilise resources and guaranteeing that no nation is left behind.
He also called on international financial institutions to be more inclusive, responsive, and focused on development, while maintaining their fundamental mandates. He noted that sufficient, affordable, and reliable funding is still crucial for realizing the Sustainable Development Goals.
