Prime Minister Narendra Modi has questioned the relevance of international organizations like the United Nations, who are not able to play their role, for want of reform.
In a three-hour long podcast with Lex Fridman, middle-aged American podcaster and computer scientist, Modi said that people in the world who do not care about laws and rules are doing everything and no one is able to stop them.
Path Of Expansionism Will Not Work
“In such circumstances, it would be wise to move from the path of conflict to the path of coordination. The path of development is the correct path as the way ahead and the path of expansionism will not work. As I have said earlier, the world is inter-connected and interdependent.”
Stressing on the need for nations to support one another, he said, “As I said earlier, the world is interdependent, interconnected…Everyone needs everyone. Nobody can do anything alone. And I see that in all the different fora I have to go to, everyone is worried about conflict. We hope to get relief from it very soon.”
Lessons From COVID-19 Pandemic
Asked about the world’s fears about an emerging third world war due to tensions between China and U.S., Ukraine and Russia, tensions in Europe and the Middle East and how a third world war can be avoided, the Prime Minister looked back at the lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic and said that it exposed the vulnerabilities of every nation.
He said that COVID was a leveler for all countries of the world. “ This was also true for countries that considered themselves very developed and advanced. At that time, it seemed that a new world order would come into place as it did after World War II but unfortunately, the situation has become such that instead of going towards peace, the world got fragmented and created uncertainty. The war added to the uncertainty. I believe that modern wars are not merely for resources or interests. I see that there are conflicts in every area and international organizations like the UN have almost lost their relevance.”
Need For Unity Amid Global Tensions
He stressed the need for unity amid raging global tensions.
Last year, while addressing the UN’s ‘Summit of the Future’, Modi made a clarion call for change from the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) lectern and emphasized that reform is the key to relevance.
He added that global action “must match” global ambition.
India’s Aspirations
For decades, India has been arguing that it deserves to be a member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).
India has said that the 15-nation council founded in 1945 is not fit for its purpose in the 21st Century and does not reflect contemporary geopolitical realities.</p>
India last sat at the UN high table as a non-permanent member in 2021-22.
At present, the UNSC comprises five permanent members and 10 non-permanent member countries, which are elected for a two-year term by the General Assembly of the United Nations.</p>
The five permanent members are Russia, U.K., China, France, and the United States, which have the power to veto any substantive resolution.</p>
Support For India’s Inclusion In The UNSC
The U.K., France and the United States have voiced their support for India’s inclusion in the UNSC.
Advice To President Zelenskyy
Modi emphasized that he has close relationship with President Putin and President Zelenskyy.
” I can tell the media while sitting in front of President Putin that this is not an era of war.”
To a question on the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Modi said, “I can tell President Zelenskyy in a friendly way- Brother, regardless of how many people stand with you in the world, there will never be a solution on the battlefield. The solution will only come when both Ukraine and Russia come to the negotiating table.”
India Stands For Peace
Asked how he can broker peace between Russia and Ukraine, the Prime Minister said that he represents a country that is the land of Buddha and Mahatma Gandhi. ” I am not neutral. I have always said that we stand for peace. Whenever we talk of peace, the world listens to us because we are from the land of Buddha and Mahatma Gandhi. We are not in favour of conflict.”
Modi said that the entire world has suffered because of the war and wants peace at the earliest. The Global South has suffered the most. The world has been grappling with fuel, food and fertilizer crisis.”
He said that he is hopeful as the current situation presents an opportunity for meaningful and productive talks.
“I Have Never Bothered About Power”
In response to a question about being considered very powerful, Modi replied in English saying, “I never bothered about power. ”
He went on to say that he never cared to pursue power games. “I always strive to serve people and make a positive contribution to their lives. I call myself a Pradhan Sewak.”
Modi said that India is constantly moving forward on path of becoming one of the largest economies in the world.
He said, “I take risks and ownership for my decisions. I may make mistakes but my intentions are honest.”
Trump, Modi And Fridman Post Podcast Video
Interestingly, U.S. President Donald Trump has shared a video of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s interview with Lex Fridman on his social media platform Truth Social.</p>
In the past, Fridman’s show has featured billionaire businessman Elon Musk, U.S. President Donald Trump and President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Apart from world leaders, Fridman has interviewed Canadian psychologist and author Jordan Peterson and several academics and researchers in the field of science and technology.</p>
Urging his followers on X to watch the interview with a “Do watch”, Modi described the conversation with Fridman, on a wide range of subjects as “wonderful.”
Likewise, Fredman who fasted before the well -researched interview, described the “epic three- hour podcast conversation” as “one of the most powerful conversations of my life.”
He said that this episode is available in English, Hindi, Russian and soon other languages.
