Parwinder Sandhu
New Delhi, Oct 16 (UNI) In a powerful call for global institutional reform, India’s External Affairs Minister, Dr. S Jaishankar, warned that if international organisations don’t change, they run the risk of becoming irrelevant and losing their legitimacy. He called upon the United Nations to change into a more democratic, inclusive, participatory, and fully representative organisation that represents the realities of the twenty-first century rather than the old power structures.
The EAM was addressing the gathering on the concluding day of the ongoing United Nations Troop Contributing Countries’ (UNTCC) Chiefs Conclave 2025, being organised by the Indian Army, here today.
Coming down harshly on the United Nations, the EAM said that it still reflects the realities of 1945, not of 2025. “Eighty years is a long time by any standards, and during this period the UN membership has actually quadrupled. It must amplify the voices of the developing world and reflect the aspirations of a rising Global South. The UN’s legitimacy, and I would say the UN’s credibility depends on it doing so,” he said in his address to the delegates.
Adding that there is a strong desire amongst members of the UN for a reformed United Nations, including expansion of the permanent and non-permanent categories of the membership of the Security Council Jaishankar said that the process of reform itself is being used to derail that agenda. “As a result, historical injustices still continue. India affirms its commitment to assume greater responsibilities in a reformed United Nations and in a reformed multilateralism.”
Calling UN Peacekeepers the “true torchbearers of multilateralism,” the EAM emphasized that the evolving geopolitical landscape, the increasing complexity of global affairs, and the changing nature of conflicts have all influenced the demands placed on peacekeeping efforts.
He underlined the key issues that the United Nations must take into account while planning peacekeeping operations. Stressing the importance of consulting both troop-contributing countries and host nations when drafting mission mandates, Jaishankar said, “Peacekeeping can only be effective when the mandates are matched with the resources available. These mandates must be both realistic and clearly defined. The primary responsibility for the protection of civilians continues to rest with the host state.”
Highlighting the critical role of innovation, Jaishankar noted that “technology and peacekeeping go hand in hand,” describing technology as a “force multiplier” for such missions. He affirmed India’s readiness to serve as a technology demonstrator to boost the operational effectiveness of peacekeeping forces. Addressing the importance of strategic communication, he called for stronger efforts to combat misinformation and disinformation.
He also stressed the vital role of ICT and underscored that the safety and security of peacekeepers must remain a top priority, insisting that “those responsible for attacks on peacekeepers must always be brought to justice.” Cautioning that in future it is likely that the peacekeeping budget will see headwinds, Jaishankar said that there was a need to see how this constraint can be overcome while adhering to the core principles of maintenance of peace and security. “This should also be an opportunity to undertake measures of making UN peacekeeping more financially and administratively rigorous, like winding down obsolete Missions that have outlived their purpose,” he suggested.
Drawing attention to the changed nature of conflict, the EAM said that the clear lines of state-on-state warfare have been blurred. “We often face on the ground, a complex and ambiguous matrix of non-state actors, of armed groups, and of terrorist organizations. These entities operate outside the norms of international law, employing asymmetric tactics, from IEDs to cyber warfare, making our work more dangerous and more unpredictable”
“The traditional role of a peacekeeper as a buffer between two warring states has also evolved significantly. Today, our peacekeepers must be prepared to protect civilians from harm, respond to humanitarian crises, and yet operate in environments where the enemy wears no uniform and respects no rules,” he said.
Jaishankar emphasized that the current global security environment calls for a fundamental shift in the approach to peacekeeping. “This difficult reality demands a new paradigm for peacekeeping,” he said, underscoring the need for enhanced training, advanced technology, and a reassessment of operational mandates.
He noted that peacekeepers must be fully equipped to handle asymmetric threats while safeguarding their own security and fulfilling their missions effectively. “That means investing in surveillance systems, protective gear, cyber capabilities, and mission preparedness of the highest standard,” he added.
The EAM also spoke about the role of women peacekeepers stating that they have demonstrated the unique impact by building trust in communities, and giving hope to vulnerable populations, especially women and children. “We believe that it is no longer a question of whether women can do peacekeeping. Rather, it is whether peacekeeping can succeed without women,” he added.
