Indian foreign minister calls for reboot in international relations

The concept of multilateralism is under attack and the nations of the Global South need to work with greater unity to combat this, Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar said on Tuesday.

Speaking at the High Level Meeting of Like-Minded Global South Countries on the sidelines of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, Jaishankar called for a joint effort to reform international institutions such as the UN.

”The very concept of multilateralism is under attack,” the Indian foreign minister said. “International organizations are being rendered ineffective or starved of resources. The building blocks of the contemporary order are starting to come apart. And the cost of delaying much needed reforms is today starkly visible.”

He added that under these circumstances, “it is natural that the Global South turns to multilateralism for solutions.” 

Jaishankar has voiced similar concerns in the past, stating that there are “strong sentiments” in the Global South regarding the unfairness of the current international order. 

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At the meeting in New York, the Indian foreign minister outlined a structured approach for the Global South, which includes groupings such as BRICS+, to engage with global issues.

He underscored the importance of maximizing existing forums to facilitate enhanced dialogue and cooperation among Global South nations, with a focus on strengthening solidarity and collaboration. Jaishankar also called for a comprehensive reform of the United Nations and “multilateralism as a whole.”

Jaishankar highlighted the importance of the Global South showcasing its distinct capabilities, experiences, and successes on the global stage, pointing to areas such as vaccine production, digital technologies, education, and sustainable agriculture as key areas of expertise.

The Indian foreign minister also held talks with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who said New Delhi’s purchases of Russian oil was on the agenda.