Jaishankar Holds High-Level Talks with UN Chief Guterres in New York

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar engaged in a wide-ranging and substantive discussion with United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres at the UN headquarters in New York on Thursday, covering the rapidly shifting global geopolitical landscape, the future of multilateralism, and critical regional flashpoints. The meeting, held on the sidelines of Jaishankar’s North America visit, underscored India’s deepening strategic engagement with the world’s premier multilateral organisation.

In his social media post following the interaction, Jaishankar described the exchange as highly productive, stating that he “valued his [Guterres’] assessment of the current global order and its implications for multilateralism” and appreciated the Secretary-General’s candid perspectives on ongoing conflicts and crises across multiple continents. The minister was accompanied by India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador P Harish, Deputy Permanent Representative Ambassador Yojna Patel, and senior diplomats from India’s Permanent Mission.

Jaishankar conveyed India’s deep appreciation for Guterres’ “clear and consistent support” for the country’s economic growth, developmental priorities, and its expanding global role. He formally invited the UN chief to visit India at an early date, signalling New Delhi’s desire to host high-level UN leadership and further strengthen bilateral ties between India and the United Nations Secretariat.

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The meeting assumes added significance as the United Nations grapples with institutional reform debates, particularly regarding expansion of the Security Council and greater representation for emerging economies. India has been vocal about the need for urgent restructuring of global governance architecture, and Guterres has repeatedly acknowledged the changing balance of economic and political power, with India frequently cited as a pivotal player in that transformation.

Coming immediately after Jaishankar’s participation in the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Canada—where he held crucial bilateral talks including with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio—the New York stop reflects India’s intensified diplomatic outreach across both multilateral and bilateral tracks. As global uncertainties persist, Jaishankar’s interaction with the UN Secretary-General reinforces India’s proactive stance in shaping a more inclusive and effective multilateral order.

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