India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar addressed the challenges facing the United Nations during an event marking its 80th anniversary on October 24. He highlighted Pakistan's attempts to shield the terror group responsible for the Pahalgam attack, emphasizing that the UN's effectiveness is hindered by a lack of urgent reforms.

Jaishankar stated, "All is not well" with the UN, noting that its debates have become increasingly polarized and its operations visibly gridlocked. He criticized the current state of the UN, saying, "Any meaningful reform is obstructed using the reform process itself," and pointed out that sustaining the UN while seeking its reinvention is a significant global challenge.

He raised concerns about the credibility of multilateralism, questioning how the UN can maintain its integrity when a member state protects a group responsible for terrorist acts. Although he did not name Pakistan directly, it was clear he was referring to the country, which is currently a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council.

Jaishankar also condemned the practice of equating victims and perpetrators of terrorism, stating, "If victims and perpetrators of terrorism are equated in the name of global strategy, how much more cynical can the world get?" He expressed concern over the shielding of self-proclaimed terrorists from sanctions, questioning the sincerity of those involved in such actions.

The Resistance Front (TRF), linked to the Lashkar-e-Taiba, claimed responsibility for the Pahalgam attack. Jaishankar noted that Pakistan attempted to remove references to TRF from a UN Security Council statement condemning the attack.

In his remarks, Jaishankar pointed out that the UN's failure to address terrorism reflects a broader institutional paralysis. He remarked, "If the maintenance of international peace and security has become lip service, the predicament of development and socio-economic progress is even more serious." He highlighted the slowing progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as a significant indicator of distress in the Global South.

Despite these challenges, Jaishankar urged for a continued commitment to multilateralism, stating, "However flawed, the United Nations must be supported in this time of crisis." He also released a commemorative postage stamp to celebrate the UN's 80 years of service, reaffirming India's dedication to global peace and security through multilateral efforts.