The U.N. guards the vital principles entrenched in its charter, notably the sovereign equality of states and the inadmissibility of interference in their internal affairs. It is precisely because the U.N. is the chief guardian of both these sacrosanct principles that it alone is allowed to approve derogations from them.

In this quote, Shashi Tharoor highlights the core principles enshrined in the United Nations (U.N.) Charter, particularly the sovereign equality of states and the inadmissibility of interference in the internal affairs of sovereign nations. He stresses that the U.N. plays a critical role in safeguarding these fundamental principles of international law, ensuring that no state can arbitrarily interfere in the affairs of another without just cause. Tharoor’s emphasis on these principles speaks to the U.N.’s central role in maintaining global order and diplomacy.

Tharoor further argues that the U.N. holds a unique position because it is the only international body with the authority to approve exceptions or derogations to these principles. While the sovereign equality of states is a foundational element of international relations, there are rare situations where exceptions might be made, such as in cases of international conflict, human rights violations, or peacekeeping operations. Tharoor points out that it is the U.N.'s responsibility to make such decisions, positioning it as the global authority on matters of international law and state sovereignty.

The quote is a defense of the U.N.’s authority and its role as the chief guardian of global peace and security. Tharoor acknowledges that while the principles of sovereignty and non-interference are crucial, the U.N. is empowered to make critical decisions when those principles are challenged by broader global interests. This speaks to the balance the U.N. must strike between respecting state sovereignty and ensuring international cooperation on issues like humanitarian crises and security threats.

The origin of this quote can be traced to Tharoor’s extensive work as a diplomat and his role as an advocate for international cooperation and multilateralism. As a former Under-Secretary-General of the U.N., Tharoor has often spoken about the importance of the U.N. in maintaining global peace and the complexities of balancing sovereignty with the need for international oversight. This quote reflects his perspective on the necessity of a strong and effective U.N. in ensuring that international law is upheld in a world of increasingly interconnected challenges.