UN chief Guterres meets PM Modi; discusses West Asia, Ukraine conflicts
The Secretary-General appreciated India’s close cooperation with the United Nations.
360° Perspective Analysis
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Context
Antonio Guterres met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the 18th summit in New Delhi. They discussed ongoing conflicts in West Asia and Ukraine, emphasizing their global economic impact, particularly on food and fertilizer security. The meeting also highlighted the need for UN reforms, the principle of freedom of navigation, and concerns surrounding lethal autonomous weapons.
UPSC Perspectives
Polity
The meeting underscores India's push for reforming multilateral institutions like the , particularly the (UNSC). The article notes discussions on institutions reflecting "the realities of the world in the 21st century." India has long argued that the current UNSC structure, established post-WWII, fails to represent the contemporary global power dynamic, particularly the rise of the Global South. For UPSC Mains (GS-2), analyze India's arguments for a permanent UNSC seat, the challenges in achieving UN reform (such as opposition from existing permanent members and the complexities of amending the UN Charter), and alternative groupings like serving as platforms for emerging economies to challenge Western dominance.
Economic
The discussion on the economic impact of the West Asia and Ukraine conflicts highlights the interconnectedness of the global economy and its vulnerability to geopolitical shocks. The specific mention of "access to food and fertiliser" points to a critical challenge for developing nations, including India. The Ukraine conflict disrupted global supply chains for wheat, sunflower oil, and fertilizers, leading to imported inflation (inflation caused by higher prices of imported goods). For UPSC Mains (GS-3), examine how geopolitical crises affect food security in developing nations and the strategies required to build resilient supply chains. The concept of strategic autonomy is crucial here, as India navigates its energy needs (importing discounted Russian oil) while managing relationships with Western partners.
Governance
The leaders' exchange of views on the "growing danger of lethal autonomous weapons" introduces a critical dimension of global governance in the realm of emerging technologies. Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems (LAWS) operate without meaningful human control, raising profound ethical and legal questions regarding accountability and adherence to (IHL). The lack of a comprehensive international treaty governing LAWS creates a regulatory vacuum. For UPSC Mains (GS-2/GS-3), analyze the challenges in regulating LAWS, the need for international consensus on Artificial Intelligence in warfare, and India's evolving stance on autonomous weapon systems within forums like the (CCW).