Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in an unguarded interview on American scientist Lex Fridman’s podcast, chastised the United Nations and other international institutions for their inability to evolve with challenges. PM Modi branded such institutions as “almost irrelevant” because they had not undergone reforms, especially with the backdrop of continuous war in the Middle East and China-US tensions.
PM Modi Slams Global Institutions for Inaction
PM Modi showed annoyance with global organizations such as the UN during the discussion, highlighting their failure to resolve international conflicts.
“The international organisations that were created have become almost irrelevant, there is no reform in them. Institutions like the UN cannot play their role. People in the world who do not care about laws and rules are doing everything, no one is able to stop them,” he stated during the podcast with Lex Fridman.
His words betray deep-seated fears that ageing global institutions have failed to hold crises in check and preserve worldwide stability.
Takeaways of PM Modi from Covid-19 Pandemic
The lessons from the Covid-19 pandemic were another takeaway emphasized by PM Modi. The pandemic made it clear how vulnerable even the strongest nations of the world could be.There was an urgency to unity with the increasing geopolitics uncertainty, he underlined.
“Covid-19 has exposed the limitations of all of us. No matter how much we consider ourselves a great nation, very progressive, very scientifically advanced, whatever it may be, everyone in their own way, but in the times of Covid-19, we all came down to earth, every country of the world. And then it seemed that the world would learn something from it, and we would move towards a new world order. But unfortunately, the situation was such that instead of moving towards peace, the world disintegrated, a period of uncertainty came, and the war put it in more trouble.”
PM Modi pointed out that instead of creating more peace, the post-pandemic era has become more divided through war and doubt.
Call for Cooperation Over Conflict
PM Modi urged a transition from expansionism to cooperation, insisting that countries need to cooperate with each other in a globalized world.
“As I said earlier, the world is interdependent, interconnected…Everyone needs everyone, no one can do anything alone. And I see that in all the different forums I have to go to, everyone is worried about conflict. We hope to get relief from it very soon,” he added.
India’s Struggle for a Permanent UNSC Seat
The Prime Minister’s comments also served to reiterate India’s old claim for a permanent seat at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). India contends that the existing setup, which dates back to 1945, no longer accommodates the changing geopolitical landscape of the 21st century.
Presently, the UNSC consists of five permanent members—Russia, the UK, China, France, and the United States—who all enjoy the veto power. There are 10 non-permanent members also elected by the UN General Assembly for two-year terms. The US, the UK, and France have all been vocal in their support of India’s application for membership of the UNSC but reform efforts have not taken off.
A Renewed Call for Global Reform
PM Modi has always supported changing institutions in the world arena. In the previous year, speaking at the UN’s ‘Summit of the Future,’ he emphasized that institutions of global governance must be reshaped so they remain applicable today.
His latest remarks on the Lex Fridman podcast reinforce the urgency of these reforms, as global conflicts continue to escalate. With India emerging as a key global player, PM Modi’s call for a reformed international order resonates not only within India but also on the global stage.
