EAM Jaishankar at UNGA 80: 'UN is in a state of crisis', calls for Security Council expansion
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar addressed the General Debate of the 80th UN General Assembly on 27 September 2025, saying the UN is in a state of crisis and calling for expansion of the Security Council and deeper cooperation against terrorism.
Summary
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar addressed the General Debate of the 80th session of the UN General Assembly in New York on 27 September 2025. The minister said an objective report card would show that the UN is "in a state of crisis" and "gridlocked", and that resistance to reform was central to the erosion of its credibility. Calling terrorism a priority, he said India has faced this challenge since independence from a neighbour that is a centre of global terrorism, and urged that terror financing be choked and prominent terrorists sanctioned. Both permanent and non-permanent membership of the Security Council must be expanded, and "India stands ready to assume greater responsibilities", he said. He cited India's more than 600 development projects in 78 countries and concluded that "islands of prosperity cannot flourish in an ocean of turbulence".
Key facts
- Date / forum
- 27 Sep 2025, General Debate, 80th UNGA, New York
- Speaker
- EAM S. Jaishankar
- On the UN
- "In a state of crisis", "gridlocked"; resistance to reform
- Terrorism
- Choke financing; sanction prominent terrorists
- UNSC
- Expand permanent and non-permanent membership; India ready for greater responsibilities
- Development partnerships
- 600+ projects in 78 countries
Practice MCQs 4 questions
Who represented India at the General Debate of the 80th session of the UN General Assembly on 27 September 2025?
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Correct answer: A — S. Jaishankar
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar delivered India's statement at the General Debate on 27 September 2025.
At UNGA 80, EAM Jaishankar said India has undertaken more than 600 development projects in how many countries?
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Correct answer: C — 78
The minister cited more than 600 development projects in 78 countries as part of India's contribution to the Global South.
Which line did EAM Jaishankar use to conclude his call for international cooperation at UNGA 80?
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Correct answer: B — "Islands of prosperity cannot flourish in an ocean of turbulence"
The minister said "International cooperation must prevail because islands of prosperity cannot flourish in an ocean of turbulence".
Consider the following statements about EAM Jaishankar's address at UNGA 80: 1. The minister called for expanding only the non-permanent membership of the Security Council. 2. The minister said the UN had overcome gridlock through recent reforms. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: D — Neither 1 nor 2
Both are wrong: he called for expanding both permanent and non-permanent membership, and said the UN "remains gridlocked" and is in a state of crisis owing to resistance to reform.