India's contribution to agenda of world community is vital for us: UN Chief Guterres

• UN chief praises India’s growing global leadership and multilateral engagement.

• Strong role in peacekeeping, with 5,000 personnel deployed worldwide.

• First all-women UN police unit highlights commitment to gender equality.

• Rising economic influence of emerging economies like India termed a “mega trend.”

• Support for UN reforms, SDGs, AI governance, and renewable energy transition.

  
  

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has underscored India’s enduring and growing influence on the global stage, describing the country’s sustained engagement with the UN’s priorities as critically significant. His remarks come ahead of his visit to New Delhi for the India AI Impact Summit — the first major Artificial Intelligence summit hosted in the Global South.

In an exclusive interaction, Guterres reflected on India’s evolving leadership across a range of multilateral issues. He pointed to the country’s active involvement in peace and security deliberations, sustainable development initiatives, and human rights advocacy. Recalling India’s presidency of the G20, he noted that key decisions taken under its leadership carried substantial global weight.

The Secretary-General also highlighted India’s democratic credentials at a time when democratic institutions face mounting strain in various parts of the world. In his view, India’s voice carries added resonance in global discussions because of its democratic framework and its engagement with complex global challenges.

A substantial portion of Guterres’ praise focused on India’s longstanding contribution to UN peacekeeping operations. Expressing deep appreciation, he noted that roughly 5,000 Indian personnel are currently deployed in missions worldwide. He singled out India’s pioneering move in 2007 to deploy the first all-women Formed Police Unit to Liberia, calling it a landmark moment for the UN and a powerful symbol of the organization’s commitment to gender equality.

For Guterres, India’s sustained support for peacekeeping is not merely symbolic but foundational to the UN’s operational strength. He described the country’s steady contributions to the international agenda — closely aligned with that of the United Nations — as invaluable.

His comments come at a time when the global landscape is marked by escalating conflicts, widening inequalities, persistent poverty, and the growing threat of terrorism. Despite these challenges, Guterres identified what he called “positive mega trends” shaping the future.

Chief among them, he said, is the rising influence of emerging economies. According to Guterres, advanced industrial nations now represent a gradually shrinking portion of the global economy, while countries like India are steadily expanding their economic share. This shift, he suggested, holds the promise of fostering a more balanced and equitable international order — one that could, over time, create stronger conditions for justice, stability, and peace.

The Secretary-General has repeatedly advocated for global governance structures to adapt to these changing dynamics. He reiterated his support for reforming the UN Security Council, acknowledging criticism of the body’s composition and effectiveness. However, he stressed the need to distinguish between the Security Council and the broader UN system, noting that the 193-member General Assembly reflects the equal representation of all nations.

While conceding that the Security Council has faced questions regarding fairness and action, Guterres expressed strong pride in the broader work of the United Nations. He highlighted humanitarian assistance delivered in some of the world’s most challenging environments, global efforts to advance sustainable development, and leadership on climate action.

He also emphasized the UN’s advocacy for reforming the international financial architecture to ensure that developing countries have greater influence within global financial institutions. In this regard, he positioned the UN as a key ally for emerging economies seeking a stronger voice.

The Secretary-General spoke with particular admiration for peacekeepers and humanitarian workers operating in high-risk areas, including Indian contingents serving in difficult and often dangerous conditions.

Turning to development goals, Guterres noted that the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have become a universally recognized framework, with India playing an active leadership role in advancing their implementation.

During his visit to New Delhi, Guterres is scheduled to participate in the summit’s opening ceremony and engage in high-level plenary discussions alongside heads of state and government. He will also attend a session examining the role of science in shaping international governance for Artificial Intelligence.

His itinerary includes bilateral meetings with President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as well as discussions with technology leaders and members of the International Scientific Panel on Artificial Intelligence. Among the 40 global experts appointed to the panel is Professor Balaraman Ravindran, who heads the Department of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence at the Indian Institute of Technology Madras.

In addition, Guterres will join a UN-hosted roundtable focused on renewable energy and the global energy transition. With India rapidly expanding its renewable energy capacity, the meeting aims to bring together leaders from industry, finance, policymaking, and civil society to accelerate clean energy deployment, strengthen power infrastructure, and mobilize large-scale investment. The discussion aligns with broader efforts to promote a faster, fairer global shift toward sustainable energy systems consistent with the Paris Agreement.

As Guterres prepares to conclude his tenure later this year, his remarks reflect a clear message: despite global turbulence, the growing role of emerging powers such as India offers grounds for cautious optimism about the future of multilateral cooperation and international equity.