Sridhar Vembu, the founder and chief scientist of Zoho, has publicly urged India to evaluate the option of exiting the United Nations. Vembu also suggested withdrawing all Indian troops from UN peacekeeping missions, framing this as a strategic 'trump card' for the nation.
Call for New Global Institutions
Vembu's comments, made during the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi, emphasized the necessity of constructing new international institutions. He described the existing global framework as a "failing set of institutions" and suggested the BRICS grouping as a promising starting point for this endeavor.
"My own long-standing suggestion is that India must seriously evaluate exiting the UN and withdrawing all our troops from any UN peacekeeping missions," Vembu stated. "We must keep this option (should I say trump card!) ready."
He highlighted the significance of the BRICS leaders convening in India, particularly against the backdrop of an "extremely over-extended and over-stretched hegemon." Vembu lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi's role in elevating India's global stature, recognizing him as a leading statesman.
PM Modi Pushes for UN Reforms at BRICS Summit
Vembu's remarks closely followed Prime Minister Modi's own call for comprehensive reforms within the United Nations. Speaking at the BRICS summit session on "Inclusive Global Governance and Strengthening Multilateralism," PM Modi asserted that the reform of the UN Security Council could no longer be delayed. He demanded text-based negotiations be linked to a clear timeline and concrete outcomes.
The Prime Minister also stressed that global financial institutions' voting power, leadership roles, and policy priorities must accurately reflect today's economic realities. He argued that countries driving global economic growth should have a proportionate role in shaping global economic governance.
UN Spokesperson Backs Reform Calls
The sentiment for reform resonated even within the UN. Stéphane Dujarric, spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, supported PM Modi's stance. Dujarric acknowledged that the current structure of the Security Council, with its five permanent members, no longer reflects the realities of the 21st century.
He underscored the urgent need to adapt international organizations, including the Security Council and financial institutions, to reflect the contemporary world rather than the post-1945 landscape. This adaptation, Dujarric noted, is crucial for making the organization truly representative and more effective.
The 18th BRICS Summit
The 18th BRICS Summit, hosted by India in New Delhi on September 12 and 13, brought together representatives from the expanded 11-member BRICS grouping. Key leaders in attendance included Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi. Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto were also present.