External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres in New York on Monday, holding discussions on key global issues, including the situations in West Asia, Ukraine, and Sudan. The meeting took place at the UN Headquarters as India formally launched its campaign for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for the 2028–29 term.
Following the meeting, Jaishankar briefly described the interaction as positive, saying, “Always good,” when asked about his discussions with the UN chief.
India Begins Campaign for UNSC 2028–29 Seat
Ahead of his meeting with Guterres, Jaishankar officially unveiled India’s campaign for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council during an event attended by ambassadors, diplomats, and senior UN officials.
During his address, he introduced India’s vision for its UNSC bid through the theme “SHANTI – Securing Holistic Advancement through Norms, Trust and Integrity.”
According to Jaishankar, the campaign reflects India’s commitment to promoting peace, international cooperation, and effective global governance while addressing today’s rapidly evolving global challenges.
India Highlights Key Priorities for the Security Council
While outlining India’s agenda for the proposed 2028–29 term, Jaishankar said the country aims to play a constructive role in addressing some of the world’s most pressing concerns.
India’s key priorities include:
- Representing the interests of the Global South
- Promoting reformed and inclusive multilateralism
- Strengthening future-ready UN peacekeeping operations
- Addressing risks arising from the misuse of Artificial Intelligence (AI)
- Protecting global maritime security
- Combating terror financing and cross-border terrorism
He stressed that global institutions must evolve to remain effective in an increasingly complex world.
Global Governance Needs Meaningful Reform
Speaking at the campaign launch, Jaishankar said the international community faces a unique contradiction.
While technological progress has created unprecedented opportunities to improve people’s lives, the world is simultaneously witnessing rising conflicts, violence, and instability that affect countries across regions.
He emphasized that the United Nations and the Security Council have a crucial responsibility in addressing these global challenges.
According to Jaishankar, meaningful reform of international institutions is essential to ensure that multilateralism becomes more democratic, representative, and capable of responding to modern realities.
He added that countries like India, with a long tradition of dialogue, consensus-building, and diplomacy, can make valuable contributions to strengthening global governance.
India and Tajikistan to Contest Asia-Pacific Seat
The election for the 2028–29 non-permanent UNSC seat is scheduled to take place in June next year.
India will contest the election against Tajikistan for the single available seat allocated to the Asia-Pacific Group.
Winning the election would mark India’s ninth tenure as a non-permanent member of the Security Council.
Jaishankar Discusses Global Issues With António Guterres
During his meeting with Secretary-General António Guterres, Jaishankar reviewed several international developments, including ongoing conflicts in West Asia, Ukraine, and Sudan.
The meeting was also attended by India’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Harish Parvathaneni, along with officials from India’s UN Mission.
Later, Jaishankar shared details of the meeting on social media, noting that both sides also acknowledged the strong and expanding cooperation between India and the United Nations.
Campaign Video Showcases India’s Global Role
A special presentation shown during the campaign launch highlighted India’s growing contribution to international peace, humanitarian assistance, and disaster relief operations.
The video carried the message:
“For a world in disorder, one civilisation has always answered with a single word – Shanti (Peace).”
It featured visuals of global conflicts, natural disasters, and India’s humanitarian missions across the world.
The presentation also included Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s widely quoted statement made before the US Congress in June 2023:
“This is not an era of war; it is an era of dialogue and diplomacy.”
The message reinforced India’s positioning as a nation advocating peaceful conflict resolution and international cooperation.
India’s Previous Terms on the UN Security Council
If elected, India will return to the 15-member UN Security Council after serving most recently during 2021–2022.
India has previously held non-permanent seats during the following terms:
- 1950–1951
- 1967–1968
- 1972–1973
- 1977–1978
- 1984–1985
- 1991–1992
- 2011–2012
- 2021–2022
These experiences have strengthened India’s longstanding campaign for a greater role in global decision-making and its continued demand for reforms within the UN system.
Conclusion
With the launch of its UNSC 2028–29 campaign, India has positioned itself as a strong advocate for peace, multilateral cooperation, and the interests of developing nations. Jaishankar’s meeting with UN Secretary-General António Guterres further reinforced India’s commitment to working closely with the United Nations on major global issues while promoting a more inclusive and effective international order.