PM Modi slams UN, says it failed to fulfil its role to prevent conflicts
This story was originally published at 10:20 IST on 17 March 2025
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NEW DELHI - Prime Minister Narendra Modi slammed global institutions like the United Nations, asserting that global conflicts are escalating due to the declining influence of international organisations that once held significant power. In an interview with US-based podcaster and artificial intelligence researcher Lex Fridman on Sunday, Modi spoke about the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war and the conflict in West Asia.
"International organisations that were once powerful have become almost irrelevant. No real reforms are happening. Institutions, like the UN, are failing to fulfil their roles," Modi said. The prime minister asserted that organisations like the UN were established after World War I, but they failed to adapt to changing times, leading to a global debate on their relevance.
Modi emphasised on a development-driven approach to stop global conflicts and urged countries to let go of conflict for the greater good.
During the three-hour podcast, Modi spoke on his relations with US President Donald Trump, India-China relations, India-Pakistan ties and the Russia-Ukraine war. He also spoke about domestic issues including the 2002 Gujarat riots and Hindu nationalism.
On his relations with Trump, Modi referred to the Howdy Modi event in Houston, where Trump walked alongside him at the stadium ignoring security protocol, and said there is a mutual trust leading to a "strong bond" between the two leaders. "Even after being shot, he remained unwaveringly dedicated to America. His life was for his nation. Trump's will to live and fight for the US even after being shot appeals to me because this showed his America First spirit, just as I believe in Nation First. I stand for India First and that's why I connect so well (with Trump)," Modi said.
While discussing the Indo-China relations, the prime minister acknowledged that there are inherent differences between the two nations, but the primary objective is to prevent these differences from escalating into disputes.
"Instead of discord, we emphasise dialogue for building cooperative relationship. After my meeting with President Xi (Jinping), we are seeing a return of normalcy to the border. We are now working to restore conditions to how they were before 2020. Slowly but surely, trust, enthusiasm and energy will return," he said.
The prime minister also stated that the cooperation between India and China is essential also for global stability and prosperity. "Competition is not a bad thing but it should never turn into a conflict," he said.
On the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, Prime Minister Modi firmly reaffirmed India's stance that both nations must resume negotiations.
"I am not neutral. I strive for peace. I can tell President Putin this is not the era of war. I can also tell President Zelensky that regardless of how many people stand with you, there will never be a resolution on the battlefield. Ukraine may hold countless discussions with its allies, but it will bear no fruit. Discussions must include both sides," he said. End
Reported by Kuldeep Singh
Edited by Tanima Banerjee
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