India’s National Statement at the 81st session of the UN General Assembly

Mr. President, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

Namaskar from 1.4 billion people of Bharat.

1. We are gathered at this General Assembly, when the United Nations enters its ninth decade. It was founded to maintain international peace and security, and take effective collective actions to that end. Members committed to develop friendly relations, and to strengthen universal peace.

2. Yet, even as we meet, conflicts and confrontations remain our primary preoccupation. The inability to maintain peace, is not just undermining security, but threatening progress, and retarding development. In a globalized world, the effects of war are felt worldwide. Countries far from conflicts, are being penalized for no fault of theirs. Those most impacted, often have the least say. This Assembly must face up to the true state of affairs.

3. This year, we are witnessing a conflict in the Gulf, one that is exacerbating an already difficult situation. We remain deeply concerned over continuing hostilities. The targeting of commercial shipping and seafarers, transiting international waterways, is simply unacceptable. India calls upon all parties to exercise restraint, de-escalate tensions, ensure protection of civilians, and uninterrupted flow of energy and commerce.

Mr. President,

4. The conflict in Ukraine, now in its fifth year, is equally concerning. As Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated, endless war must give way now, to an end to war. India supports ongoing initiatives to bring peace. Even as this is underway, there is an urgent need to address the security of seafarers, and supply of food grains and energy. India is prepared to do everything possible, to ameliorate this situation, especially with regard to food and energy security.

5. Tensions and violence also regrettably continue in West Asia or the Middle East. We strongly believe, that a durable and lasting peace, requires a Two State solution. In the meanwhile, India is contributing to humanitarian assistance, and relief efforts for the Palestinian people.

Mr. President,

6. Let us recognize that peace, is not just the absence of war. If the world is subjected to continuous threats and pressures, then we are really living on the edge of an abyss. All it takes is one more step to push us over. Therefore, it is imperative to strengthen stability, security and predictability. These are crucial elements, of the enabling environment for peace. If any of them are undermined, peace will inevitably be weakened. After eight decades of the UN, this should have become our second nature.

7. Instead, what we are actually seeing, is a weaponization of everything. A mindset of extreme competition has set in, undermining institutions, and establishing chokepoints. It extends from the world of finance, to constricting market access, disrupting supply chains and withholding technology. Resources and connectivity have become particularly subject to leveraging. As a result, nations are now more focused on de-risking and diversifying. While this may secure their interests to varying degrees, the overall atmosphere is no longer that of trust or goodwill.

Mr. President,

8. The predicament of the Global South, is particularly acute. It faces a 4F crisis – of the security of food, fuel, fertilizer and finance. The combined impact of a Super El Nino, compounding fertilizer shortages and now impediments to grain movements, all these are cause for alarm. Moreover, SDG progress is under increasing pressure. The Global South’s right to industrialize, is also undermined by non-market practices and market denial. The march of technology, that was meant to instill hope, has now become a source of anxiety. Misuse of AI is sharpening bias, and diluting mutual respect. These directions bode ill for the aims and objectives of the United Nations.

9. A persistent threat to peace, has been the scourge of terrorism. That this could be state-sponsored, with cross-border purpose, makes it a direct affront to the global order. Governments indulging in such practices must be held accountable. There must be no dilution in our zero-tolerance approach towards terrorism. Its financial aspects, in particular, should be exposed and should be countered.

Mr. President,

10. Yesterday, a serial practitioner of terrorism, misrepresented facts before this Assembly. Arguments were invoked to normalize terrorism, and claim immunity from its consequences. That will not stand. Our right to defend ourselves against terrorism, will be exercised. Mr. President, friendship and goodwill cannot co-exist with terrorism. And understandings premised on that, will naturally be called into question. It is for the perpetrator of terrorism to mend its ways.

Mr. President,

11. Given the state of the world, each member of the UN must ask themselves what they can do. Insofar as India is concerned, its inclusive growth and all-round progress, has advanced the prospects of one-sixth of humanity. When health, nutrition and education are effectively delivered, when drinking water, electricity, roads and housing are ensured, this veritably lifts the global SDG outcomes. But today, India has much more than that to offer. Our digital public infrastructure, is not only ensuring better governance, but is the backbone of delivering socio-economic benefits. Rapid growth of infrastructure, is visible across all its dimensions. A continuously improving ease of doing business, ease of living, startup and innovation culture, and focused sectoral missions have all contributed to our economic story.

12. Even as India progresses, we are conscious of our global responsibilities. We know that many of our experiences and achievements, are replicable elsewhere. The deep solidarity of the Global South, has always encouraged us to share what we have. Therefore, we respond more actively, to the requirements of our partners. 600 major Indian development projects in 78 nations, testify to our commitment, a commitment that ranges from infrastructure, manufacturing and agriculture, to IT and to capacity building.

13. Climate action projects and initiatives, have been an important part of these endeavors. Whether it is clean energy and clean water projects, sustainable agriculture, or the dissemination of best practices and technology, our capabilities and experiences, have been reflected abroad. African nations and Small Island Developing States, have been our preferred partners in this journey. Initiatives like the International Solar Alliance, the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure, or the Global Biofuels Alliance are all making steady progress.

Mr. President,

14. The turbulence of our times, also demands more from each of us. India has sent medical shipments to conflict zones, epidemic locations, and after natural disasters. As a first responder, we were there early, be it the Nepal flash floods or the Venezuela earthquake. Our limb fitment camps, have given a new hope to many across the world. Whether to meet food and medicine shortages, energy and fertilizer needs, or creating livelihoods, India has contributed continuously and will do so. Our capacity-building and experience-sharing programs, have made a real difference across the Global South, especially in Africa.

15. The same international spirit, also inspires our contributions to safeguarding peace. India has always been at the forefront, of UN peacekeeping operations. Right now, our contingents are present in 9 out of 11 mandates. Our troops have stood their ground firmly, and professionally, even under pressure. We take pride, that an Indian woman combat helicopter pilot, was awarded the UN 2025 Military Gender Advocate of the year.

Mr. President,

16. New challenges in the maritime domain, have added to longstanding ones on land. There have been attacks on commercial shipping, and seafarers in the Gulf, and from the Red Sea to the Black Sea. Indian seafarers have lost their lives, as indeed have others , from other nations. This is completely unacceptable. India has joined Liberia, and 23 other partners, in an initiative to rally global public opinion, against such unwarranted targeting. We must ensure, that the safety and security of shipping and seafarers, is never compromised. Scrupulously observing international law, is an integral element of that endeavour.

17. An issue central to current global conversations, is that of AI. India hosted the AI Impact Summit this February, gathering together the best minds on that subject. We view AI as a transformational driver, for human empowerment, economic prosperity and population-scale problem solving. We believe in the right of each nation, to shape its eco-system, with the development of its own models, and deployment strategies, consistent with its national goals and priorities. AI will be very much part of our partnership agenda, with the Global South.

18. As technology is democratized, this process is greatly facilitated, Mr. President, by an ethos of mutual respect. Indeed, care and consideration for the interests, and viewpoints of others, reinforces even the prospects of peace. And that attitude is best fostered, by an appreciation of each other’s culture, heritage and traditions. In a globalized world, we must continuously and vigorously, promote international understanding. Economic rebalancing is well underway; the political one is also visible, and the third facet – cultural rebalancing – must now be taken forward.

Mr. President,

19. We are now well on our way, towards a multi-polar world. The post-1945 order is giving way to new realities. This process of adjustment, accommodation and acceptance will not be easy. Much of the turbulence that we witness today, emanates from those very difficulties. Yet, the march of an intrinsically diverse world, towards a more democratic future, cannot be halted. Peace in a pluralistic order, requires civil conversations, it requires broad-based consultations, it requires transparent decision-making. Large sections of humanity, cannot be excluded from that process. The case for reformed multilateralism only gets stronger day after day.

Mr. President,

20. After a decade of service and dedication, to the cause of multilateralism, we will soon bid farewell to Secretary General Antonio Guterres. India deeply values his many contributions, in particular, his personal support for Mission LiFE.

Mr. President,

21. At the conclusion of this General Debate, we hope that all participating delegations, leave with a greater commitment to peace, to development and to prosperity. This cannot be an imposition, or even a negotiation; it must be a mindset, it must be an outlook, it must be a belief. In the lawns outside this building, are recorded the powerful words of Mahatma Gandhi, and that should serve as an inspiration for these times, and those words are that there is no way to peace; peace is the way.

I thank you.

New York
September 26, 2026