New Delhi [India]: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar strongly emphasized the need for a fair and strong United Nations while criticizing global double standards during his address at the Raisina Dialogue 2025 in New Delhi.
During the session titled ‘Thrones and Thorns: Defending the Integrity of Nations,’ Jaishankar stressed the importance of maintaining a structured international order akin to domestic systems for stability.
Key Points from Jaishankar’s Speech:
- On International Order:
- Jaishankar argued that an international order is vital, not just for major nations but also for smaller countries that might exploit disorder to their advantage.
- “We need an international order just like we need a domestic order… Any country, regardless of size, can take risks and exploit disorder,” he said.
- On Kashmir’s History:
- He criticized the UN for turning the Kashmir invasion into a dispute, calling Pakistan’s presence in parts of Kashmir the “longest-standing illegal occupation” post-World War II.
- He named the UK, Canada, Belgium, Australia, and the USA as being responsible for this misrepresentation.
- On Taliban and Double Standards:
- Jaishankar pointed out the contradictory global stance on the Taliban.
- “The Taliban, once seen as outliers, were later welcomed in the Doha Process and Oslo. Yet today, they are again labeled extremists,” he remarked.
- On Sovereignty and Interference:
- Highlighting global hypocrisy, Jaishankar said Western nations often justify their interventions as preserving democracy, while non-Western nations are seen as acting with “malign intent” when engaging with Western countries.
- Call for UN Reform:
- Jaishankar advocated for a “strong and fair” UN that reflects current global power balances.
- “We must audit the world’s workings for the past eight decades and build a more balanced, consistent, and fair order,” he concluded.
Panel Discussion:
Jaishankar was joined by:
- Juraj Blanar, Slovakia’s Minister of Foreign and European Affairs
- Carl Bildt, Former Swedish Prime Minister
- Dominique Hasler, Liechtenstein’s Minister of Foreign Affairs
- Dubai Abulhoul, Founder of the Fiker Institute
About the Raisina Dialogue:
The Raisina Dialogue, held from March 17-19, is India’s leading platform for geopolitics and geoeconomics. Hosted by the Observer Research Foundation in collaboration with the Ministry of External Affairs, the conference aims to address global challenges and promote meaningful dialogue among nations.