Jaishankar calls for end to wars, reform of global institutions at UNGA

United Nations, Sep 26 (PTI) External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar called for an end to prolonged conflicts and reform of global institutions, telling world leaders at the UN General Assembly that the failure to maintain peace was threatening progress and development.

Addressing the General Debate at the high-level 81st session of the UN General Assembly on Saturday, Jaishankar said the world was moving towards a multipolar order as the post-1945 system gave way to new realities.

“We are now well on our way towards a multi-polar world. The post-1945 order is giving way to new realities. This process of adjustment, accommodation and acceptance will not be easy. Much of the turbulence that we witness today emanates from those very difficulties,” he said.

Jaishankar said the march of an intrinsically diverse world towards a more democratic future could not be halted.

“Peace in a pluralistic order requires civil conversations; it requires broad-based consultations; it requires transparent decision-making. Large sections of humanity cannot be excluded from that process. The case for reformed multilateralism only gets stronger day after day,” he said.

He said the UN, now entering its ninth decade, was founded to maintain international peace and security and take effective collective action.

“Yet, even as we meet, conflicts and confrontations remain our primary preoccupation. The inability to maintain peace is not just undermining security, but threatening progress, and retarding development,” he said.

“In a globalised world, the effects of war are felt worldwide. Countries far from conflicts are being penalised for no fault of theirs. Those most impacted often have the least say. This Assembly must face up to the true state of affairs,” he added.

Turning to ongoing conflicts, Jaishankar said India remained deeply concerned over hostilities in the Gulf, which were worsening an already difficult situation.

He described the targeting of commercial shipping and seafarers transiting international waterways as “simply unacceptable”.

“India calls upon all parties to exercise restraint, de-escalate tensions, ensure protection of civilians, and uninterrupted flow of energy and commerce,” he said.

Jaishankar said the conflict in Ukraine, now nearing its fifth year, was equally concerning. Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's remarks on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Bishkek in August, he said “endless war must give way now to an end to war”.

He said India supported ongoing peace initiatives and was prepared to do everything possible to address food and energy insecurity. He also underlined the urgent need to protect seafarers and maintain supplies of food grains and energy.

Jaishankar also voiced concern over continuing violence in West Asia, saying durable peace required a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict.

“In the meantime, India is contributing to humanitarian assistance and relief efforts for the Palestinian people,” he said.