UN General Assembly: EAM S  Jaishankar calls for stronger multilateralism amid global tensions

By R Anil Kumar

New York/Bengaluru, Sep 22, 2026. External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar, who touched down in New York City on Sunday, September 20, called for stronger and more effective multilateralism as he addressed the inaugural Partners for Multilateralism Summit on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly.

Jaishankar stressed the need for countries to strengthen international cooperation and reform the multilateral system.

He said the world had undergone a steady rebalancing over several decades, but extreme competition, geopolitical tensions and conflicts had changed the nature of that evolution.

He said, “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. If left unchecked, it would call into question the very spirit of international cooperation. That is why it is so essential that multilateralism asserts itself strongly at this juncture.”

Jaishankar stresses need for reform

Jaishankar said the issues at stake extended beyond diplomatic language, covering peace and international security, climate action and justice, emerging technologies, development finance, countering terrorism, strengthening supply chains, disaster resilience and pandemic preparedness.

“All depend on a will to cooperate,” he said.

Calling for reforms to the multilateral system, Jaishankar said, “Multilateralism will be best served when international law, rules and norms are scrupulously observed.”

“For multilateralism to forge ahead, its advocacy and its practice must both be strengthened. Reformed multilateralism is therefore essential,” he said, adding that more participative deliberations and transparent decision-making were overdue.

Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, Czech Republic back India’s bid for permanent UNSC seat

Calling for peace he said, “The lesson here is to safeguard the good while striving for the better. That objective can be realized through a range of efforts, through a combination of initiatives. Where ongoing conflicts are concerned, specific dimensions could be addressed even while we strive for a broader peace.”

He added, “The 4F crisis of fuel, food, fertilizer, and finance cannot be left to itself. When 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 disruption, de-risking and diversifying must be encouraged. And where there is a compelling cause or a powerful case, the like-minded must have the confidence to come together.”

Jaishankar holds bilateral meetings

Jaishankar held a series of bilateral meetings with foreign counterparts on the sidelines of the high-level UN General Assembly session.

The EAM held talks with French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot. Jaishankar said their regular meetings and phone calls helped maintain momentum in the Special Global Strategic Partnership between India and France.

Their discussions included regional and global issues, specifically the Ukraine and Gulf crises, as well as multilateral matters including reform of the UN Security Council.

In his meeting with Ecuador Foreign Minister Roberto Kury, Jaishankar discussed strengthening economic ties in areas including energy and pharmaceuticals, mobility, personnel training and development partnership, along with cooperation in multilateral forums including the UN.

Following talks with Slovakia’s Foreign Minister Juraj Blanar, Jaishankar said the two sides discussed the bilateral agenda and ways to deepen multilateral cooperation.

He also described his first meeting with Hungarian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Anita Orban as a “great first meeting”. The two sides agreed to work together to deepen their ties and advance the bilateral strategic partnership.

Jaishankar is scheduled to address world leaders during the General Debate from the UNGA podium on September 26.

EAM Jaishankar calls for stronger Global South  solidarity at UN

S Jaishankar urges Global South unity at U.N. General Assembly

At the U.N. General Assembly, India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar spoke up for the Global South, countries often left out of big decisions but hit hardest by global issues like supply chain problems and political tensions.

He called for these nations to join forces and make their voices heard on the world stage.

S Jaishankar shares 7-point plan

Jaishankar shared a seven-point plan: fix supply chain bottlenecks, secure energy and food, push for fair trade to boost homegrown industries, protect shared ocean spaces, and get more seats at major decision-making tables.

He also wants countries to work together on challenges from artificial intelligence advancements.

Plus, he highlighted India’s efforts to build stronger economic ties with Latin America through ongoing efforts involving a proposed Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement with Chile and a free trade agreement with Peru.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar called for stronger Global South solidarity at the UN, urging closer economic cooperation and action on supply chains, food security, technology, artificial intelligence and climate change to help developing nations navigate overlapping global crises.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has called for strengthening Global South solidarity to meet the challenges of the crises hitting it hard.

Chairing the High-Level Meeting of Like-Minded Global South Countries and Friends convened by India on Tuesday, 22 September, he said, “For the Global South, there has never been a moment as critical as right now for solidarity”.

Solidarity is essential to bring about change and empowerment because “the Global South today may be in the front row of the global crisis, but is in the back row of decision-making”, he said.

“The Global South needs to be part of decision-making structures that deliberate on issues that directly pertain to our future”, he said.

He emphasised that “closer economic cooperation among Global South is necessary to buffer us against the fallout of overlapping global crises.”

He listed several priority areas where the nations of the Global South need to act due to the fallouts from crises or the exercise of power by the North.

“Choke points” in supply chains, finance, or connectivity should not be legitimised while the seas must be secured for all with guarantees for the safety of commercial shipping and seafarers under international law.

The Global South must “must swiftly address challenges” to food security, particularly the supply of grains and fertilisers, he said.

The Global South should work for “fair economic and trade practices, which enhance our production capabilities and do not reduce us to be mere consumers” and “our right to industrialise must not be denied”.

He suggested reducing dependence on the North for technology and frameworks for international cooperation.

Artificial Intelligence must remain “human-centric” and “we should share indigenous-developed tools and frameworks for the benefit of Global South members”, he said.

Instead of relying solely on the Global North, alternative “frameworks such as the International Solar Alliance and the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure and others could bring about much-needed progress on climate action”, he said.