‘United Nations Failing to Fulfil Roles’: PM Narendra Modi On Rise in the Global Conflicts

• PM Modi, in an interview with Lex Fridman, discussed global conflicts, criticised the UN’s relevance, and advocated for a development-driven approach and cooperation

• “Almost Irrelevant”: PM Modi Slams UN, International Organisations on Podcast

• Amid the raging global tensions, PM Modi reflected on the lessons from Covid-19, which exposed the limitations of every nation and underscored the need for unity

New Delhi. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, speaking on American scientist Lex Fridman’s podcast on March 17, slammed the United Nations and other international organisations as irrelevant amid rising global conflicts – referring to the ongoing Middle East wars and China – US tensions. According to PM Modi, the organisations have become “almost irrelevant” as there is “no reform” left in them.

“The international organisations that were created have become almost irrelevant, there is no reform in them. Institutions like the UN cannot play their role. People in the world who do not care about laws and rules are doing everything, no one is able to stop them,” the Prime Minister said.

The PM reflected on lessons from the Covid-19 pandemic, which exposed the vulnerabilities of every nation, and underscored the need for unity amid raging global tensions.

“Covid-19 has exposed the limitations of all of us. No matter how much we consider ourselves a great nation, very progressive, very scientifically advanced, whatever it may be, everyone in their own way, but in the times of Covid-19, we all came down to earth, every country of the world. And then it seemed that the world would learn something from it, and we would move towards a new world order. But unfortunately, the situation was such that instead of moving towards peace, the world disintegrated, a period of uncertainty came, and the war put it in more trouble,” PM Modi told Mr Fridman.

PM Modi called for a shift from conflict to cooperation, advocating a development-driven approach as the way forward. Expansionism will not work in an interconnected and interdependent world, he asserted, stressing on the need for nations to support one another.

“As I said earlier, the world is interdependent, interconnected…Everyone needs everyone, no one can do anything alone. And I see that in all the different forums I have to go to, everyone is worried about conflict. We hope to get relief from it very soon,” the PM added.

Last year, PM Modi, in his address to the UN’s ‘Summit of the Future’, made a clarion call for change from the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) lectern, noting that reform is the key to relevance. He added that global action “must match” global ambition.

India’s bid for permanent seat at UNSC

For decades, India has been arguing that it deserves to be a member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). New Delhi has said that the 15-nation council founded in 1945 is not fit for its purpose in the 21st Century and does not reflect contemporary geo-political realities. India last sat at the UN high table as a non-permanent member in 2021-22.

At present, the UNSC comprises five permanent members and 10 non-permanent member countries, which are elected for a two-year term by the General Assembly of the United Nations. The five permanent members are Russia, the UK, China, France, and the United States, which have the power to veto any substantive resolution. The UK, France and the US have voiced their support for India’s inclusion in the UNSC.