Jaishankar discusses global developments, including West Asia and Ukraine, with UN chief Guterres

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres at the United Nations on July 14, 2026. Photo: X/@DrSJaishankar

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar discussed global developments, including West Asia, Ukraine and Sudan, with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres at the United Nations.

“Always good,” Mr Jaishankar told PTI when asked how his meeting with the Secretary-General went as he left the UN headquarters.

Before meeting Mr Guterres, Mr Jaishankar launched India’s official campaign for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council for 2028-29 at an event at the world body’s UN headquarters attended by ambassadors, diplomats and UN officials.

Mr. Jaishankar said India’s approach to the UN is rooted in “SHANTI: Ensuring holistic progress through norms, trust and integrity” as he detailed New Delhi’s priorities for the 2028-29 UNSC.

These are “the voice of the Global South; promoting reformed multilateralism; future-proofing peacekeeping missions; addressing threats posed by the misuse of artificial intelligence; securing maritime assets; combating the financing of terrorism.”

Mr Jaishankar, who arrived in New York at the weekend, met Mr Guterres accompanied by India’s Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Harish Parvathaneni and officials from India’s UN mission.

“Delighted to meet @antonioguterres, UN Secretary General in New York today. We discussed global developments, including West Asia, Ukraine and Sudan. He also recognized the strength of India-UN cooperation,” Mr Jaishankar said in a post on X.

Nice to meet you @antonioguterresgeneral secretary of the company @UN today in New York.

Global developments were discussed, including West Asia, Ukraine and Sudan. He also acknowledged the strength of India-UN cooperation.

🇮🇳 🇺🇳 pic.twitter.com/Eyun5r5otZ

—Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) July 13, 2026

Elections for 2028-29 will be held in June next year, with India and Tajikistan competing for the sole seat in the Asia-Pacific group category.

India last sat at the high horseshoe table of the UNSC in 2021-22, eighth in the powerful 15-member UN body after terms in 1950-1951, 1967-1968, 1972-1973, 1977-1978, 1999914-11991911 2011-2012.

Mr Jaishankar said India was launching its candidature in the UN Security Council at a time when the world was facing a “profound paradox”.

“Never before has the world possessed such immense capabilities to promote human well-being on such a scale. At the same time, we are witnessing levels of conflict, violence and instability that threaten even those who may be very far away.”

“To resolve this complexity, the UN must take the lead and the Security Council must show the way. Elections to its membership are therefore gaining importance,” he said.

A special video on the occasion highlighted India’s growing role and contribution on the global stage and its priorities for the UN Security Council campaign.

“To a world in disarray, one civilization has always responded with one word – Shanti (peace),” the video says, as footage shows cities bombarded by missiles and natural disasters wreaking havoc, with India providing aid and humanitarian efforts.

The video included Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s clarion call made during his address to the US Congress in June 2023 that “this is not an era of war but of dialogue and diplomacy”.

India has expressed its commitment to present the concerns of the Global South regarding international peace and security to the Security Council, Mr. Jaishankar said.

“We all recognize that global governance must be reformed to transform. For this to happen, multilateralism must be democratic, representative and effective,” he said.

Nations like India, which have a long history of bridging differences and building consensus, can certainly contribute accordingly, Mr. Jaishankar added.

Published – 14 Jul 2026 12:18 IST