G7 Summit: PM Modi calls for UN reform

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday once again called for the reform of the United Nations and the Security Council, stating that they have failed to be in line with ground realities of the twenty-first century. He was calling for the reform of the global body in reference to the unresolved Ukraine war and other conflicts in the world.

"Why are we facing the need to discuss matters of peace and stability in distinct forums? The United Nations, which was established with the very purpose of establishing peace, why does it often fail to prevent conflicts today," PM Modi asked, questioning "Why, even the definition of terrorism has not been accepted in the UN yet."

He called on the international community to introspect as to why institutions created in the last century are not meeting the requirements of the twenty-first century.

“They do not reflect the realities of the present. That is why it is necessary that reforms should be given concrete shape in big institutions like the UN. It will also have to become the voice of the Global South. Otherwise, we will just keep talking about ending conflict. The UN and the Security Council will become just talking shops,” PM Modi said.

He called on all countries to respect the UN Charter, International Law and Sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries. “Raise your voice together against unilateral attempts to change the status quo. India has always been of the opinion that any tension, any dispute should be resolved through peaceful means, through dialogue. And if there is a solution from the law, then it should be accepted. It was in this spirit that India resolved its land and maritime boundary disputes with Bangladesh,” PM Modi said.

He also said that India will make every possible effort to resolve the more than one-year-old Ukraine war.

"From the beginning, we have maintained that dialogue and diplomacy is the only way. And, we will make every possible effort to contribute, in whatever way India can, for resolving this situation," Prime Minister Modi said in his remarks at the 9th working session of G7 summit in Hiroshima.

Emphasising that in the interconnected world, "a crisis in any one region affects all the countries," the Prime Minister said the developing countries because of limited resources are the worst affected on account of the Ukraine war. "In the current global situation, developing countries are facing the maximum and most profound impact of the food, fuel and fertilizers crisis."

Highlighting Lord Buddha’s teachings and their enshrined values, he said “There are no such problems in the modern age, whose solution we cannot find in the teachings of Buddha. Buddha had given the solution centuries ago to the war, unrest, and instability that the world is facing today.”