Jairam Ramesh on PM's 'UN irrelevant' remark: 'Modi going out of his way to keep Trump in good humour’

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his interview with AI researcher and podcaster Lex Fridman, appreciated US President Donald Trump's 'unwavering' dedication to America.

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Monday alleged that Prime Minister Modi was “going out of his way” to keep US President Donald Trump “in good humour”.

The Congress leader’s remarks came after Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his interview with AI researcher and podcaster Lex Fridman, appreciated US President Donald Trump's "unwavering" dedication to America. He also lauded the US Presiden’t resilience and determination.

“He says international organisations, from which India has benefited immensely, have become irrelevant. This is the US President's language. In fact, it is Mr. Trump who is doing his best to make them irrelevant and now Mr. Modi is repeating 'his good friend's' chant. Is the WHO not good for India? Is the WTO not good for India? Is the Paris Agreement on Climate Change not good for India? Has the UN, in spite of all its weaknesses, not provided opportunities for Indian peacekeepers abroad,” said Ramesh in a post on the social media platform X.

Mr. Modi clearly is going out of his way to keep Mr. Trump in good humour.He says international organisations, from which India has benefitted immensely, have become irrelevant. This is the US President's language. In fact, it is Mr. Trump who is doing his best to make them

Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) March 17, 2025

Ramesh said multilateralism needs reforms but does not “deserve wholesale condemnation of the type of President Trump and Prime Minister Modi are indulging in”.

In the podcast, PM Modi described the United Nations and other international organisations as irrelevant amid rising global conflicts. He was referring to the ongoing Middle East wars and China-US tensions. According to PM Modi, the organisations have become "almost irrelevant" as there is "no reform" left in them.

"The international organisations that were created have become almost irrelevant, there is no reform in them. Institutions like the UN cannot play their role. People in the world who do not care about laws and rules are doing everything, no one is able to stop them," the Prime Minister said.

He also reflected on lessons from the Covid-19 pandemic, which exposed the vulnerabilities of every nation, and underscored the need for unity amid raging global tensions.

PM Modi also praised Trump's dedication to America, describing him as "unwavering" and admiring his resilience in the face of adversity. "Even after being shot, he remained unwaveringly dedicated to America. His life was for his nation. This showed his America First spirit, just as I believe in nation first - India first," PM Modi said.

He also commended the US President’s humility, citing his gesture of sitting in the audience during the 'Howdy Modi' event in 2019. "That's his humility," he added. He further expressed his admiration for Trump's clear vision and roadmap for his second term as President.