Global Order Under Stress: Jaishankar Calls for UN Reforms, Stronger Multilateralism

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has called for stronger international cooperation and reforms to global institutions, warning that geopolitical competition, tensions and conflicts are putting the world order under stress.

Addressing the inaugural Partners for Multilateralism Summit on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York, Jaishankar said a steady rebalancing of global power had acquired a different character amid intensifying rivalries.

“We meet at a time when the global order is under stress. For some decades the world has witnessed a steady rebalancing, which was a long-expected structural evolution. However, extreme competition, geopolitical tensions, and actual conflicts have given this an entirely different character,” he said.

Unchecked, these trends could undermine the spirit of international cooperation, he warned. “That is why it is so essential that multilateralism asserts itself strongly at this juncture.”

Peace, climate and development at stake

Jaishankar said the consequences extended beyond diplomatic language. Cooperation would determine progress on peace and security, climate action and justice, emerging technologies, development finance, counterterrorism, supply chains, disaster resilience and pandemic preparedness.

He urged countries to preserve the gains made through collective action while pursuing improvements to the international system.

“Let us recognise that whatever we have achieved so far is only through collective efforts. The lesson here is to safeguard the good while striving for the better,” he said.

The minister also called for practical responses to immediate problems, arguing that specific aspects of ongoing conflicts could be addressed even as countries worked towards a broader peace.

The four ‘F’ challenge

Jaishankar identified fuel, food, fertiliser and finance as four areas where international challenges could not be left unaddressed.

He called for frameworks and safeguards to govern emerging capabilities, alongside efforts to reduce vulnerabilities in global supply chains.

“Where new capabilities and concerns arise, there is a very powerful case for frameworks and guardrails. Where there is a threat of choke points, dominance and disruptions, de-risking and diversifying must be encouraged,” he said.

Countries with shared interests should have the confidence to cooperate where collective action was needed, he added, stressing that international law, rules and norms must be scrupulously observed.

More participation, greater transparency

Making the case for institutional reform, Jaishankar said both the advocacy and practice of multilateralism needed strengthening.

“More participative deliberations and more transparent decision-making are both overdue. That would provide the hope and the optimism, which is clearly needed by the UN system and it would reinforce the resolve to work together,” he said.

The summit formed part of a series of bilateral and group engagements during his UNGA visit.

Jaishankar met Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis to review economic ties following the entry into force of the India-European Free Trade Association Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement. They also discussed global issues and closer multilateral cooperation.

In a separate meeting with Nauru President David Adeang, he reaffirmed India’s commitment as a development partner to the Pacific island nation.

Jaishankar also attended the first Visegrád Group–India Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, involving Poland, Hungary, Slovakia and the Czech Republic. The countries agreed to deepen cooperation across political, economic, technology, defence, education and people-to-people ties, including through annual foreign ministers’ meetings and a business forum.

Discussions covered the Ukraine conflict and the situation in the Gulf. Slovak Foreign Minister Juraj Blanár said the V4 countries supported India’s permanent membership of the UN Security Council.

With inputs from ANI