External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, addressing the General Debate of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), delivered a wide-ranging statement urging the UN to adapt to contemporary realities, calling out terrorism, and projecting India’s vision as a confident, self-reliant and responsible global player.
Jaishankar began by reaffirming the UN Charter’s ideals of peace, dignity, and justice but noted that the institution has struggled to live up to expectations. He cited the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza, the slow progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), inequitable responses during the pandemic, and failures on climate justice as evidence of a “UN in crisis.”
UN Reform and Global South Leadership
Jaishankar stressed that resistance to reform has undermined the UN’s credibility, urging expansion of both permanent and non-permanent membership of the Security Council. He underlined the need to redress “the historical injustice to Africa” and said India stands ready to assume greater responsibilities.
Positioning India as a voice of the Global South, he pointed to India’s development partnerships across 78 countries, covering over 600 projects, as well as humanitarian responses ranging from medicine supplies to disaster relief. “Our soldiers ensure peacekeeping, our sailors protect maritime shipping, our security counters terrorism, our doctors and teachers facilitate human development,” he said, outlining India’s contributions to global stability.
Strong Message on Terrorism
Reiterating India’s longstanding concerns, Jaishankar accused its neighbor of being the “epicentre of global terrorism.” Referring to the Pahalgam attack in April, he asserted that India exercised its right to defend its people and bring perpetrators to justice. He urged unequivocal global condemnation of nations that sponsor terrorism, choking its financing and dismantling its ecosystem.
India’s Global Contributions
Highlighting India’s role as a “first responder”, he cited humanitarian missions in Afghanistan, Myanmar, and aid to 19 nations last year, as well as India’s continued presence in UN peacekeeping operations. India’s efforts in securing trade routes in the northern Arabian Sea were also emphasized.
On the development front, Jaishankar showcased India’s achievements under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership—from digital public infrastructure and start-up ecosystems to large-scale infrastructure growth. He announced India would host a Global AI Summit in 2026, with a focus on “responsible, inclusive, and impactful” use of technology.
Three Guiding Principles: Atmanirbharta, Atmaraksha, Atmavishwas
Concluding his address, Jaishankar articulated Bharat’s approach to the contemporary world through three key concepts:
- Atmanirbharta (Self-Reliance): Building domestic capabilities in manufacturing, space, pharma, and digital innovation, while also benefiting the world.
- Atmaraksha (Self-Protection): Ensuring national security with zero tolerance for terrorism, robust border defence, and global partnerships.
- Atmavishwas (Self-Confidence): As the world’s most populous nation and a major economy, India will remain confident, independent in its choices, and a consistent voice of the Global South.
A Call for Multilateralism
Jaishankar closed by urging the global community to deepen cooperation in turbulent times: “International cooperation must prevail because islands of prosperity cannot flourish in an ocean of turbulence. The ninth decade of the UN must be one of leadership and hope. Bharat will do its fair share—and more.”
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