Antonio Guterres, Modi Discuss BRICS Priorities, Global Conflicts and AI Weapons

By Deepak Arora

NEW DELHI: With wars continuing in the Middle East and Ukraine, global food supplies under pressure and major questions hanging over the future of international cooperation, UN Secretary-General António Guterres met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Friday on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit. The meeting brought together several of the most pressing issues facing the world, from reform of global institutions and freedom of navigation to food security, sustainable development, renewable energy and the rapidly growing role of artificial intelligence....more

Jaishankar meets Rubio, Raises concern over Russia sanctions act

NEW YORK, Sept 23: External affairs minister S. Jaishankar met US secretary of state Marco Rubio on Wednesday and reiterated India’s “interests and concerns” over Washington’s new law paving the way for tariffs of up to 100% against Russia’s biggest oil and gas customers – a list that includes India.

Jaishankar, who met Rubio on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly session in New York, said he “reiterated India’s interests and concerns” with regard to the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act in addition to discussing the “Gulf and Ukraine situations” with his counterpart.

The secretary of state for his part simply stated that the two sides “are building on the US-India strategic partnership and coordinating on key regional priorities and upcoming multilateral efforts”.

Earlier this month the US Congress passed the Act, which authorises tariffs of up to 100% on countries that were among the top five buyers of Russian oil or gas and that knowingly purchase such products after the enactment of the legislation. President Donald Trump signed the text into law last Friday.

Reacting to the Act’s passage last week, the external affairs ministry said that New Delhi had “very clearly articulated” the potential ramifications of the legislation “for not just the bilateral relationship but also the international energy market”.

India, it said, will continue to meet its energy requirements by way of “diversified sourcing and on the basis of evolving market dynamics”. “Government will work closely with Indian trade and industry bodies to deal with the implications of these developments,” it added.

India, other G4 nations express 'strong concern' at lack of progress on UNSC reform

UNITED NATIONS, Sept 23: The G4 nations of Brazil, Germany, India and Japan have expressed strong concern over the lack of progress on UN Security Council reform during the previous Inter-Governmental Negotiations session.

Foreign Minister of Brazil Mauro Vieira, Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs of Germany Johann David Wadephul, Minister of External Affairs S Jaishankar and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan Motegi Toshimitsu met Tuesday on the margins of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly.

The G4 Joint Ministerial Statement on the Reform of the UN Security Council, issued after the meeting, noted that the Security Council is currently unable to effectively discharge its core responsibility of maintaining international peace and security.

"The representativeness, legitimacy, credibility and efficacy of the UNSC are in question, the G4 statement said.

They assessed that one of the key underlying reasons was the eight-decade-old architecture, which did not reflect contemporary geopolitical realities and hindered efforts to effectively address present and future challenges to peace and security.

The G4 Ministers noted that the IGN framework has been largely "ineffective" in forging any concrete outcomes towards real UNSC reform despite 18 years of activities.

They "expressed strong concern at the lack of progress during the previous IGN session as well. Specifically, they conveyed their serious reservations against the presentation of a so-called bridging proposal even prior to commencement of text-based negotiations."

The G4 nations regretted that the proposal does not take into account the views of a clear majority of Member States in favour of expansion in both categories of membership.

They also recalled that, in accordance with the UN Charter and as reflected in the IGN mandate, consensus is not the benchmark for decision-making on Security Council reform.

"Moving forward, the G4 will further collaborate and identify synergies with other reform-oriented groups with a view to developing a consolidated model that properly reflects the voice of a majority of Member States and commencing text-based negotiations as a high priority, which is the key to realising the vision of real and impactful UNSC reform," it said.

The group said that this is essential to restoring the representativeness, legitimacy, credibility and efficacy of a principal organ of the UN and to strengthening the multilateral system, with the UN at its heart, as a whole.

The G4 Ministers reiterated that "discussions on reform need not be confined to the IGN and expressed their willingness to engage with the wider UN membership on this issue in other forums, including the UN General Assembly."

Reviewing the discussions in the Inter-Governmental Negotiations framework with regard to reform of the UN Security Council during the 80th session of the UN General Assembly, the Ministers underlined that, given the increasingly challenging geopolitical environment, UNSC reform is more necessary than ever before.

The G4 Ministers emphasised that it is crucial to implement UNSC reform at the earliest so that the Council is fit-for-purpose, truly reflecting contemporary geopolitical realities.

They underscored that expansion of the UNSC in both the permanent and non-permanent categories of membership is central to such reform and that this position is supported by a majority of Member States.

In this context, they reiterated the importance of improving the representation of the underrepresented and unrepresented regions and groups, such as Africa, Asia-Pacific, and Latin America and the Caribbean, in both these categories.

They further underlined the importance of increasing participation of under-represented and unrepresented groups and regions, such as Africa, Asia-Pacific and Latin America and the Caribbean.

They recognised historical injustices with regard to representation in the Security Council, as well as of enhancing participation of Member States that are contributing significantly to maintaining international peace and security and to the other purposes of the United Nations.

The G4 Ministers underscored their continuing support for Africa's compelling case for enhanced representation in the UNSC, including in the permanent category of membership.

UN General Assembly 2026: S Jaishankar Holds Talks On Global, Regional Issues

NEW YORK, Sept 21: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar discussed regional and global issues with his foreign counterparts as he held a series of bilateral meetings here on the margins of the high-level UN General Assembly session.

Jaishankar arrived in New York City on Sunday, leading the Indian delegation for the 81st session of the UN General Assembly.

His engagements on Monday commenced with a meeting with French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot.

"Our regular meetings and telecons enable us to maintain the momentum of our Special Global Strategic Partnership," Jaishankar said in a social media post.

"Regional and global issues, specifically the Ukraine & Gulf crisis were discussed. Also exchanged views on multilateral issues, including the reform of UN Security Council," he added.

After his meeting with Ecuador Foreign Minister Roberto Kury, Jaishankar said, "We spoke about strengthening our economic ties, including in energy & pharmaceuticals, mobility, training of personnel, development partnership and cooperation in multilateral fora, including the @UN." Following his meeting with Slovakia Foreign Minister Juraj Blanar, the external affairs minister said that besides discussing the bilateral agenda, they also touched upon ways to deepen our multilateral cooperation.

Jaishankar also held a "great first meeting" with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Hungary Anita Orban.

"We resolved to work together to deepen our ties, as also advance" the bilateral strategic partnership #UNGA81," he said.

Jaishankar will address world leaders at the General Debate from the UNGA podium on September 26.

Spokesperson of the UN Secretary General said that for the General Debate, we expect 71 Heads of State, 45 Heads of Government, 50 Ministers, 11 Vice-Presidents and still only one Crown Prince.

Alongside the mandated meetings, we have about 166 events that are scheduled here at Headquarters during High-Level Week, and Member States have so far submitted 1,553 requests for use of the bilateral rooms. And again, this does not include the Secretary-General’s own bilateral. And we have about 18,000 active badges for delegates.

Jaishankar to lead Indian delegation at UN General Assembly

NEW DELHI, Sept 21: External affairs minister S Jaishankar will lead the Indian delegation attending the United Nations General Assembly this week, the external affairs ministry said on Sunday.

Jaishankar’s address at the high level session of the 81st UN General Assembly in New York is scheduled for September 26, the ministry said. During the visit, Jaishankar will also attend different plurilateral and bilateral meetings.

The general debate during September 22-28 is the annual meeting of heads of state and government at the beginning of the General Assembly session, featuring world leaders making statements outlining their country’s position. Bangladesh foreign minister Khalilur Rahman will preside over the General Assembly session, the theme for which is “Restoring trust, managing transformation: A UN that delivers for all”.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi skipped the UN General Assembly last year too, and the Indian delegation was led by Jaishankar.

Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will address the general debate on September 24, followed by Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif the next day.

This year’s General Assembly session aims at revitalising global cooperation, giving a critical push to the Sustainable Development Goals, and driving collective action for peace, dignity and equality on a healthy planet.

Meetings scheduled during the General Assembly session include a high-level gathering to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Declaration on the Right to Development, a meeting on climate action and just transition, and a high-level meeting on pandemic prevention, preparedness and response.

There will also be a high-level meeting to address existential threats posed by sea level rise, and a plenary meeting to commemorate the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons.

This will be the last General Assembly session for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, whose second five-year tenure ends in December.