Overview
- Speaking in Lucknow, the defence minister said the UN could have played a much stronger role in the Israel–Hamas and Russia–Ukraine wars and in Sudan's humanitarian emergency.
- He argued the UN's shortcomings stem from major-power influence, complex global politics and slow institutional processes, not a lack of intent.
- Singh criticized powerful states for selectively applying UN rules and warned that weakened institutions cannot deliver results.
- He urged a return to the UN's core objectives of peace, justice and equal representation and called for a new international order.
- He did not outline a specific reform package or timeline during the address at the International Conference of Chief Justices of the World.