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Summary
S. Jaishankar, India's External Affairs Minister, addresses the UN General Assembly on global crises, multilateralism, and India's role in development and peacekeeping at the organization's eighth decade.
Present perfect for recent global problems — describes actions or states that began in the past and continue to affect the present. Example: "There are two significant conflicts underway one in Ukraine and the other in the Middle East West Asia." and "For decades now major international terrorist attacks are traced back to that one country."
Parallel structure with repetition for emphasis — repeated phrases or clauses of the same grammatical form create rhythm and reinforce meaning in formal speech. Example: "Not just to prevent war but to build peace. Not just to defend rights but to uphold the dignity of every human being" and "Whether it is finance, food, fertilizer, or fuel, we have responded to the urgent requirements of our neighbors."
Noun phrases with gerunds and abstract concepts — formal writing stacks nouns to compress meaning into dense statements. Example: "development goals," "climate change," "energy and food security," "technology control," and "international cooperation" are packed with meaning without full clauses.
About this video
This is a formal diplomatic speech delivered to the United Nations General Assembly by India's Foreign Minister, S. Jaishankar. The speaker opens by reflecting on the UN's founding principles—preventing war and building peace—then delivers a candid assessment of how the organization has fallen short. He catalogs real-world failures: ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, slow progress on sustainable development goals, inequality in vaccine access during the pandemic, and what he calls "recirculated commitments" on climate action. A powerful moment comes when Jaishankar addresses terrorism directly, referencing cross-border attacks and calling for unequivocal international condemnation of nations that sponsor terror. He then shifts to India's contributions—over 600 development projects across 78 countries, humanitarian disaster relief operations, and sustained UN peacekeeping across nine nations. The speech concludes with three Sanskrit-rooted concepts guiding India's approach: Atmanirbharta (self-reliance), Atmaraksha (self-defense), and Atmaviswas (self-confidence).
This is excellent shadowing material for B1 learners because the speaker uses clear, measured delivery with deliberate pacing typical of formal public address. The language balances sophisticated diplomatic vocabulary with accessible sentence structures, and the repetition of key phrases ("Madam President," "Each each makes a compelling case") provides natural anchors for learners to follow along. The speech covers weighty global topics—conflict, development, terrorism, climate change—in concrete terms: specific conflicts named, real numbers cited (600 projects, 78 countries), and particular operations described. Learners at this level will encounter formal register and some complex noun phrases, but the speaker avoids jargon overload and explains concepts clearly.
This suits intermediate learners (B1+) who want to build confidence with formal English in a real-world context. Shadowing this speech teaches diplomatic register, how to structure complex arguments, and how professional speakers handle sensitive topics with precision. Learners will improve their ability to follow sustained argument, absorb new vocabulary in context (multilateralism, de-risking, HADR), and understand how formal repetition and parallel structures enhance clarity and impact.
Idioms & expressions
make a difference — to have a significant or positive effect; to matter. Example: "And where has the UN actually made a difference?"
gridlocked — unable to move forward or reach agreement; stuck in deadlock. Example: "When peace is under threat from conflicts when development is derailed by lack of resources when human rights are violated by terrorism the UN remains gridlocked."
comes back to bite them — to suffer negative consequences later for one's current actions. Example: "Those who condone nations that sponsor terror will find that it comes back to bite them."
step forward — to take action or accept responsibility during a difficult time. Example: "Turbulent times require that we step forward during moments of crisis."
insulated themselves — protected or isolated themselves from hardship or difficulty. Example: "Better off societies insulated themselves by having the first call the resource stressed ones scrambled to survive."
hold firm — to remain strong and not give way in the face of pressure or difficulty. Example: "In such circumstances, it is imperative to stay strong, to hold firm, and to deepen friendships."
stand as good neighbors — to act as supportive, cooperative members of the international community. Example: "It challenges us to stand as good neighbors uniting our strength so that generations to come inherit a world of justice, of progress, and of lasting freedom."
