NEW DELHI: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi called on the United Nations to reform in line with 21st century realities to ensure the representation of voices that matter, according to an interview published on Sunday.

A “mid-20th century approach cannot serve the world in the 21st century”, said Modi, who will host a summit of the Group of 20 big economies from next weekend, while talking the Press Trust of India news agency.

The two-day summit, being held at a time when India is aspiring to become a permanent member of the UN Security Council, will showcase India’s highest-profile guest list ever, from US President Joe Biden to French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

“International institutions need to recognise changing realities, relook at their priorities,” Modi said, adding it was critical to ensure the representation of voices.

“India’s G20 presidency also sowed seeds of confidence in countries of so-called third world,” he said. India’s G20 presidency has led to the recognition that anti-inflation policies in one country do not harm others, he added. Inflation has already hit India’s many poor people especially hard. Economists in a Reuters poll have raised their inflation forecasts for this quarter.

Published in Dawn, September 4th, 2023