The UN the World Needs

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to address the United Nations’ special global summit, "The UN Summit of the Future," in New York. The summit aims to forge a new international consensus for a better future. Amid this, concerns are growing about the effectiveness of the UN in addressing contemporary global challenges, highlighting the need for significant reform within the organization.

UN’s Ineffectiveness and Calls for Reform

• Historical Inefficiency: The UN, established in 1945 with an initial membership of 50 countries, is increasingly perceived as ineffective in dealing with modern challenges. The organization struggles with geopolitical tensions and wars, failing to live up to its foundational goals as articulated by early figures like Dag Hammarskjöld.
• Rebuilding Trust Theme: UN Secretary-General António Guterres has emphasized the necessity of reforming the UN’s outdated multilateral system, framing it as a choice between reform or rupture.
• Historical Influences: The UN’s foundations were influenced by early 20th-century Western intellectuals who favored Anglo-Saxon dominance, shaping the institution's original framework. This mindset persists in various forms, affecting the UN’s adaptability and inclusiveness.

The Challenges Facing the UN

• Geopolitical and Operational Paralysis: The UN is struggling to address conflicts such as those in Ukraine and Gaza and to enforce Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) due to internal inefficiencies and geopolitical conflicts. The WTO’s dispute resolution mechanism is also stalled due to US vetoes.
• Inadequate Reform Mechanisms: India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ruchira Kamboj, has criticized the UN Security Council’s ineffectiveness in resolving ongoing conflicts, questioning the UN’s capacity to provide solutions to pressing global issues.
• Resistance to Change: India’s External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar, has highlighted the reluctance of permanent Security Council members to alter the rules that would diminish their power, underscoring a major barrier to meaningful reform.

Future of the UN and India’s Role

• Need for Reform: The UN’s current structure is viewed as outdated, with many non-English-speaking countries gaining influence but struggling to effect meaningful change within the organization.
• India’s Position: Prime Minister Modi may use the summit to advocate for a more prominent role for emerging powers like India within the UN framework, emphasizing the need for reform to better reflect global power dynamics.
• Voicing Concerns: Modi’s address could include discussions on the need for greater representation and effectiveness in UN operations, aligning with India's broader push for reform in international institutions.

Practice Question

Q. Evaluate the current challenges facing the United Nations in fulfilling its objectives in the contemporary global context. Discuss the need for structural reforms within the UN and analyze India’s potential role in advocating for these changes. Consider historical influences and geopolitical factors in your response.