India has reiterated its call for a more representative, responsive and effective United Nations, with an expanded Security Council that reflects contemporary geopolitical realities and the aspirations of the Global South. Addressing the United Nations Day reception at UN House in New Delhi as the Chief Guest, Kirti Vardhan Singh, Minister of State for External Affairs and Environment, Forest and Climate Change, reaffirmed India’s commitment to the UN Charter, peaceful dispute resolution and international cooperation.
The reception, hosted by the United Nations in India ahead of United Nations Day on 24 October, brought together government representatives, members of the diplomatic corps, heads and representatives of UN agencies, private-sector leaders and development partners. The occasion marked the 81st anniversary of the United Nations, established in the aftermath of the Second World War to preserve international peace and security and promote cooperation among nations.
In his address, Singh recalled the organisation’s founding commitment to “save succeeding generations from the scourge of war”. He underscored that India, as a founding member of the United Nations, remained firmly committed to this promise and to the pursuit of a more peaceful and equitable international order.
Multilateralism Must Reflect Contemporary Realities
Emphasising the need to revitalise multilateral cooperation, Singh said that shared global challenges could only be addressed through dialogue, mutual respect and practical cooperation. Invoking the Indian philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam — the world is one family — he connected this principle with India’s vision of “One Earth, One Family, One Future”, articulated during its G20 presidency.
He noted that the United Nations had played an important role over more than eight decades in advancing international law, promoting development and providing humanitarian assistance to people affected by conflicts and disasters. India, he added, had contributed more than a quarter of a million personnel to UN peacekeeping operations. He paid tribute to those who had made the supreme sacrifice while serving under the UN flag and acknowledged the sacrifices made by their families.
Referring to India’s position on global governance, Singh stressed that decisions affecting countries must be shaped through broad consultation rather than narrow or exclusive groupings. He cited the theme of the 2026 BRICS Summit, held in New Delhi in September — “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability” — as reflecting India’s approach to international cooperation. The summit’s declaration also underscored the need for a fairer, more representative and reformed multilateral system.
India, he said, would continue to advocate a multilateral order in which developing countries have a stronger voice and international cooperation produces tangible results, particularly at a time when conflicts, terrorism and geopolitical fragmentation threaten global stability.
Condemning terrorism in all its forms, Singh maintained that there could be no justification or double standards in confronting the threat. He also drew attention to the wider consequences of armed conflicts, which extend beyond the battlefield to disrupt livelihoods, food security and international trade, often placing a disproportionate burden on developing countries.
India’s position, he reiterated, remained firmly rooted in the peaceful settlement of disputes through dialogue and diplomacy, respect for international law and adherence to the principles of the UN Charter.
Reforming the Security Council and Strengthening the Global South
He stressed on the need to reform multilateral institutions to ensure their continued relevance and effectiveness.
Singh argued that the United Nations must reflect the geopolitical realities of the present day rather than the balance of power that prevailed when the organisation was established. With India home to approximately one-sixth of humanity and recognised as the world’s fourth-largest economy, he called for an expansion of both the permanent and non-permanent categories of the UN Security Council.
Such reform, he emphasised, was essential to securing equitable representation for the Global South and responding to the aspirations of the contemporary international community.
India’s claim to permanent membership, he explained, rested on its commitment to the UN Charter, its contributions to the organisation’s work and capabilities, and the perspective it brings through its experience of unity in diversity.
The call reflects India’s longstanding position that a reformed Security Council must be more representative, transparent and effective if it is to retain legitimacy in a rapidly changing world.
Development Partnerships and South-South Cooperation
Highlighting India’s development partnerships, Singh said the country’s experience in building digital public infrastructure offered valuable lessons in making public services more accessible and inclusive.
India, he noted, remained willing to share its development experience in accordance with the priorities of partner countries, while respecting their national ownership and independent development choices.
He cited India’s development cooperation portfolio, which includes more than 600 major projects across 78 countries, alongside the India-UN Development Partnership Fund and India’s capacity-building initiatives. These mechanisms, he said, contribute to strengthening South-South cooperation and enabling countries to exchange knowledge, expertise and practical solutions.
Singh also expressed appreciation for the work of UN agencies in India and their collaboration with the Government of India in advancing sustainable development.
The emphasis on partnership reflects an approach in which development cooperation is based on mutual benefit, locally identified priorities and the sharing of scalable solutions rather than one-size-fits-all models.
Responsible Artificial Intelligence for Inclusive Growth
Turning to emerging technologies, Singh highlighted the role of artificial intelligence in shaping development outcomes and improving public services.
He referred to the India AI Impact Summit, held in New Delhi in February 2026, which examined how artificial intelligence could support inclusive growth and address development challenges.
While acknowledging the opportunities offered by AI, he stressed that its governance must be guided by responsibility, human oversight and respect for human rights. Preventing the misuse of AI, he argued, was equally important to ensuring that technological progress benefited society as a whole.
The challenge, therefore, is not merely to accelerate innovation but to ensure that its benefits are accessible, equitable and consistent with human dignity.
For India, responsible AI governance must form part of a wider international effort to bridge technological divides and enable developing countries to participate meaningfully in the digital economy.
Climate Resilience and Sustainable Development
Singh also highlighted India’s efforts to advance environmental sustainability and strengthen resilience to climate change through international partnerships.
He cited the International Solar Alliance (ISA), the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) and the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) as examples of initiatives that bring countries together to address shared challenges.
The International Solar Alliance promotes the wider adoption of solar energy through international cooperation, capacity-building and investment. The International Big Cat Alliance seeks to strengthen cooperation among countries for the conservation of seven big-cat species and their habitats, while CDRI supports efforts to make infrastructure more resilient to disasters and climate-related risks.
Together, these initiatives demonstrate the importance of collaborative approaches to climate action, biodiversity conservation and disaster preparedness.
Singh further noted India’s progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals through reforms and programmes spanning healthcare, education, housing, clean water and electricity. These efforts, he said, reflected the importance of translating development commitments into improvements in people’s everyday lives.
A More Effective United Nations
Concluding his address, Singh referred to the UN80 Initiative, launched by the Secretary-General to improve the organisation’s efficiency, effectiveness and ability to deliver on its mandates amid financial and operational pressures.
He described the initiative as an opportunity to strengthen transparency, fiscal prudence and accountability, while making the UN system more effective.
On United Nations Day, he called for renewed collective commitment to peace, sustainable development and a stronger voice for the Global South. India, he affirmed, would continue working with the United Nations to build a more peaceful, inclusive and equitable world.
He also expressed his appreciation to the UN family in India, acknowledging its partnership with the Government of India and its contribution to improving people’s lives.
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