United Nations, December 14: Multilateral platforms are being misused to justify and protect perpetrators of terrorism, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Wednesday during an open debate at the UN Security Council, in a veiled attack on China and its close ally Pakistan.

Presiding over the UN Security Council open debate on ‘Maintenance of International Peace and Security: New Orientation for Reformed Multilateralism', Jaishankar also said the knock on effects of conflict situations have made a strong case that it cannot be "business as usual" in the multilateral domain. EAM S Jaishankar Criticises UN Security Council, Says 'Key Conspirators, Planners of 26/11 Terror Attacks Continue to Remain Protected and Unpunished'.

"On the challenge of terrorism, even as the world is coming together with a more collective response, multilateral platforms are being misused to justify and protect perpetrators," he said. EAM S Jaishankar After China Envoy Sun Weidong’s Farewell Call, Says ‘Normalization of India, China Ties in World’s Interest’.

He was apparently referring to China, which has placed holds and blocks on bids by India and the US on many occasions to list Pakistan-based terrorists like Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar.

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The minister said that when it comes to climate action and climate justice, the state of affairs is no better. "Instead of addressing the relevant issues in the appropriate forum, we have seen attempts at distraction and diversion," the minister said.

"We have convened here today for an honest conversation about the effectiveness of multilateral institutions, more than 75 years after they were created. The question before us is how best they can be reformed, particularly as the need to reform is less deniable with each passing year,” Jaishankar said.

"On the one hand, they have brought out the inequities and inadequacies of the way the world currently functions. On the other, they have also highlighted that a larger and deeper collaboration is necessary to find solutions,” he said.

"The knock on effects of conflict situations have also underscored the necessity for a more broad based global governance. Recent concerns over food, fertilizer and fuel security were not adequately articulated in the highest councils of decision making. Much of the world was therefore led to believe that their interests did not matter. We cannot let this happen again,” he said. Jaishankar said that each one of these examples makes a strong case why it should not be business as usual in the multilateral domain.

"We not only need to increase stake - holdership but also enhance the effectiveness and credibility of multilateralism in the eyes of the international community and global public opinion. That is the purpose of NORMS," he said, referring to the topic New Orientation for a Reformed Multilateral System.

Jaishankar arrived here Tuesday to preside over two signature events on counter-terrorism and reformed multilateralism being held under India's current Presidency of the UN Security Council, before the curtains come down this month on the country's two-year tenure as elected member of the powerful 15-nation.

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