External Affairs Minister (EAM) Calls for Stronger Multilateralism in a Multipolar World

Posted 08 Dec 2025

2 min read

Article Summary

External Affairs Minister emphasizes strengthening multilateralism through reforms, regional cooperation, inclusivity, and multi-stakeholder approaches to address 21st-century global challenges in a multipolar world.

What is Multilateralism?

Multilateralism is the practice of three or more states coordinating national policies to address common challenges.
- It differs from unilateralism (acting alone in national interest) and bilateralism (cooperation between just two countries).
Emergence: after World War II through institutions like the United Nations (UN), World Bank, International Monetary Fund (IMF), and World Trade Organization (WTO).

Significance of Multilateralism

Creates global standards that make modern life possible (telecommunications, aviation, emerging AI governance).
Maintains peace and security: through conflict prevention, peacekeeping, and arms control, e.g. it is widely credited for preventing a third world war during the Cold War.
Provides the effective mechanism for global public goods such as climate change, pandemics, unregulated AI, and economic stability.
Underpins successful globalization and poverty reduction via open trade and monetary systems.

Crisis in Multilateralism

Great-power rivalry (U.S.–China–Russia) has paralyzed bodies like the UN Security Council and risks splitting global governance into competing blocs.
Institutions remain outdated: E.g. the Security Council over-represents Europe and under-represents the Global South, creating a legitimacy deficit.
Unilateralism and protectionism by USA: E.g. “America First” policies, tariff wars, and withdrawals from agreements like the Paris Accord, etc. have eroded trust.
Alternative blocs (BRICS, Shanghai Cooperation Organisation) are emerging to champion a “fairer, more democratic multipolar order” and amplify developing-world voices.

Way Forward

Networked multilateralism: closer UN cooperation with regional bodies (EU, African Union) and international financial institutions.
Multi-stakeholder approaches that include civil society, private sector, and transnational networks (the Red Cross/Red Crescent model).
A “new Bretton Woods” moment: comprehensive reform to tackle 21st-century issues such as digital trade, AI safety, climate finance, instead of incremental patches.
Postcolonial rebalancing: True multipolarity requires “deeper multilateralism” rooted in mutual respect and cultural diversity, completing the unfinished process of decolonisation.