PM Modi Calls UN, Global Organizations ‘Almost Irrelevant’ on Lex Fridman Podcast
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, speaking on American scientist Lex Fridman’s podcast on Sunday, criticized the United Nations and other international organizations, calling them “almost irrelevant” due to their lack of reforms amid escalating global conflicts—including Middle East wars and U.S.-China tensions.
“The international organizations that were created have become almost irrelevant. There is no reform in them. Institutions like the UN cannot play their role. People who disregard laws and rules are acting unchecked, and no one is able to stop them,” PM Modi stated.
Reflecting on the lessons from the Covid-19 pandemic, he highlighted how it exposed national vulnerabilities and emphasized the urgent need for global unity in the face of ongoing geopolitical tensions.
PM Modi: Covid-19 Exposed Global Vulnerabilities, Calls for Cooperation Over Conflict
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, speaking on Lex Fridman’s podcast, reflected on the impact of Covid-19, stating that the pandemic exposed the limitations of even the most advanced nations.
“No matter how great, progressive, or scientifically advanced a country considers itself, Covid-19 brought every nation back to reality. It seemed like the world would learn from this crisis and move toward a new global order. But instead of peace, uncertainty deepened, and war made matters worse,” PM Modi said.
Advocating for a shift from conflict to collaboration, he stressed that expansionism has no place in an interconnected world. He urged nations to embrace a development-driven approach and support one another.
“The world is interdependent and interconnected—no country can act alone. In every global forum I attend, I see widespread concern about conflicts. We hope for relief from this uncertainty soon,” he added.
Last year, speaking at the UN’s ‘Summit of the Future,’ PM Modi called for urgent reforms, emphasizing that global action must align with global ambition to ensure the UN’s relevance in today’s world.
India’s Push for a Permanent Seat at the UNSC
For decades, India has advocated for a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), arguing that the 15-member body, established in 1945, no longer reflects the geopolitical realities of the 21st century. New Delhi maintains that the council must undergo reforms to remain effective and inclusive. India last held a non-permanent seat in 2021-22.
Currently, the UNSC consists of five permanent members—Russia, the UK, China, France, and the United States—who hold veto power, along with 10 non-permanent members elected for two-year terms by the UN General Assembly. While reform efforts have stalled, India has received backing from the UK, France, and the US for its bid to join the council as a permanent member.
