H.E. Mr. António Guterres, Secretary General of the United Nations called on President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan today (February 20, 2026). The President welcomed the initiative of Secretary General Guterres to create a global scientific panel on AI to serve all of humanity.
Secretary General Guterres appreciated India’s leadership role in convening the successful AI Impact Summit, and its longstanding collaboration with the United Nations in various fields. The President noted that at a time of global uncertainties, multilateralism is facing major challenges, including a widening trust deficit.
She added that the existing outdated framework of the UN Security Council must be reformed to reflect contemporary geo-political realities, and the Global South must have a greater say in decision-making. She emphasized that urgent reform of the UN Security Council is the key to maintaining the relevance and effectiveness of the UN.
The President noted that while the ‘UN-80’ initiative offers a good platform for reforms, it is important that developmental priorities of the Global South are protected in any restructuring exercise. The President extended her good wishes for the rest of Mr Guterres’ tenure as UN Secretary General, and reiterated India’s full support towards multilateralism.