External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Sunday said the United Nations must "show leadership" and "not be a spectator" to global crises, while asserting
that the use of terrorism as an "instrument of statecraft" is unacceptable and can never be justified or rationalised. Speaking at an event at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi to mark the 75th anniversary of Chinmaya Mission, Jaishankar called for "reformed multilateralism", urging the UN to recognise its shortcomings and limitations, improve its functioning and ensure that large parts of the world are not excluded from decision-making. "It is fitting, therefore, that we gather to advance a sense of oneness as we celebrate the UN Day. After all, whether it is the challenges or the opportunities that confront the world, these can be best, most effectively addressed collectively. We know we live in an imperfect world. But we all continuously strive towards greater perfection," Jaishankar said. "The case for reformed multilateralism gets stronger by the day. Large parts of the world cannot be left out from decision-making. The UN must show leadership, not be a spectator to global crisis," Jaishankar added. On this occasion, even as "we recognise the need for such long-awaited changes, let us renew our commitment to work together. We are common, we are shared, we are united, and we are one reality," he asserted. Jaishankar made the remarks in the presence of UN Resident Coordinator in India, Stefan Priesner, who also shared the dais with him. Jaishankar said that terrorism continues because "not all states really display zero tolerance" to the menace. Despite history holding so many lessons on it, "some still allow political calculations to take precedence", he said without naming any country. He cited the conflicts in Ukraine and the West Asia region curently underway, and asserted that India expresses global sentiment when it says that dialogue and diplomacy is the only solution. "Let us consider the indivisibility of peace. Now, war anywhere threatens peace everywhere," the Union minister said. "Terrorism is another deadly threat to peace. Its usage as an instrument of statecraft is simply unacceptable. It can never be justified. It can never be rationalised. Yet, it continues because not all states really display zero tolerance. Despite history, holding so many lessons, some still allow political calculations to take precedence," Jaishankar said.
