India on Thursday marked the 80th anniversary of the United Nations with a call for renewed multilateralism, stronger institutional reform, and a collective global commitment to peace and equity.
The occasion was commemorated in New Delhi with the release of a special postage stamp symbolising “peace in an era of conflict”, unveiled by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar.
Speaking at the event, Jaishankar said the credibility of international institutions was being tested as the world confronted multiple crises—from wars and terrorism to widening economic disparities. He noted that while the United Nations remains indispensable, it “neither reflects its membership nor addresses global priorities”, emphasising that reform of its structures was long overdue.
“The UN’s response to terrorism remains one of its most telling failures,” the minister said, pointing to instances where permanent members of the Security Council have blocked efforts to sanction extremist groups. “When a sitting member protects those responsible for barbaric terror attacks such as at Pahalgam, what does it do to the credibility of multilateralism?” he asked, in an apparent reference to China’s repeated vetoes shielding Pakistan-based militants.
Jaishankar warned that when the world equates victims and perpetrators of terrorism, it undermines the moral basis of the international system. Selective approaches to peace and security, he added, weaken the foundation of the UN and erode global trust.
Highlighting the unequal burden borne by developing nations, Jaishankar said the Global South continued to suffer the most from conflict, disrupted supply chains, and uneven economic recovery. “While the more developed have often insulated themselves from consequences, the Global South has borne the brunt,” he said. He called for more equitable cooperation and faster progress toward the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.
Despite these challenges, the minister reaffirmed India’s enduring faith in the UN’s founding ideals. “However difficult, the commitment to multilateralism must remain strong. However flawed, the United Nations must be supported in this time of crisis,” he said.
The commemorative UN@80 postage stamp was the result of a nationwide design competition jointly organised by the Department of Posts and the Ministry of External Affairs. More than 740,000 entries were submitted by students from schools and colleges across the country under the theme “UN@80 and India’s leadership in building our future through multilateralism, global leadership and stewardship.”
The winning design, Jaishankar said, reflects “the need for peace in this era of conflict”, embodying both India’s vision for global harmony and the aspirations of its younger generation. A special first-day cover released alongside the stamp also recognised India’s longstanding contribution to UN peacekeeping missions, which the minister described as “a fundamental obligation of a conscientious member.”
As a founding member of the United Nations, India has issued commemorative stamps marking major UN milestones, including its 9th, 40th, 50th, and 75th anniversaries. The new UN@80 release continues that tradition, reaffirming India’s commitment to peace, development, and inclusive global governance while underscoring its call for urgent and representative reform of the UN system.
