Ajit Doval Warns of Declining Multilateralism Amid Growing Global Security Threats at BRICS NSA Meeting

National Security Advisor Ajit Doval delivered a sobering assessment of the international security landscape as he inaugurated the 16th BRICS National Security Advisers’ Meeting in the national capital. Addressing senior officials from BRICS member nations and partner countries, Doval highlighted the increasing volatility of the global environment and the limitations of existing multilateral mechanisms in tackling complex challenges.

Doval warns of evolving global security threats | Moneycontrol

A Tumultuous Global Context

In his opening remarks, Doval described the world as passing through a period of intense uncertainty. He pointed to overlapping military conflicts, geopolitical tensions, economic pressures, and rapid technological disruptions as key factors shaping the current scenario. “We are meeting at a very tumultuous time,” he stated. “The world is beleaguered by military conflicts and complex security problems. Not only are the threats compounding, but the instruments and institutional mechanisms are increasingly finding themselves inadequate to resolve or mitigate these conflicts. Multilateralism is on the decline.”

Doval noted that traditional institutions are struggling to manage rising tensions, underscoring the need for fresh approaches to global cooperation.

BRICS’ Special Role in a Changing World

Despite the challenges, Doval expressed confidence in BRICS’ potential to contribute meaningfully. He highlighted the grouping’s diverse membership, which brings together nations from different continents with varied experiences and perspectives. “We have got a very special role to play in this world, which appears to be in turmoil, a world which appears to be changing, a world in which the instruments of conflict resolutions are probably getting blunted,” he remarked.

Recalling BRICS’ origins as an informal platform for emerging economies, Doval emphasised its foundational goals: promoting a multipolar world order, strengthening economic cooperation, and enhancing the voice of the Global South through reforms in global governance. With member and partner economies representing nearly half the world’s population and contributing around $31.5 trillion to the global economy, the grouping continues to gain strength and relevance.

Focus on Non-Traditional Security Challenges

A central theme of the meeting was the rise of non-traditional threats that transcend national borders and defy conventional responses. Doval urged participants to recognise and address these evolving risks, including innovative disruptive technologies, more camouflaged forms of terrorism, and cyber threats in an increasingly digitised world.

The discussions are expected to deepen collaboration on counter-terrorism, the security of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs), and the development of joint frameworks for a more resilient multipolar security architecture. The meeting also reviewed progress from BRICS Joint Working Groups on Counter-Terrorism.

Key Bilateral Engagements on the Sidelines

On the margins of the main sessions, Doval held important bilateral meetings that reflected the broad scope of BRICS diplomacy. He engaged in constructive discussions with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, noting progress towards the gradual normalisation of India-China relations.

Doval also met Iran’s Deputy Secretary for Defence Affairs, Ghadir Nezamipour, to review the situation in West Asia and explore avenues for enhanced cooperation under the BRICS platform as well as bilaterally. He welcomed the recent understanding between the United States and Iran, expressing cautious optimism that the development would bolster energy security, facilitate the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, ease supply chain constraints, and promote greater economic stability in the region and beyond.

Other notable participants included Russian Security Council Secretary Sergey Shoigu and representatives from various BRICS partner nations.

The MGMM Outlook 

Ajit Doval’s remarks at the 16th BRICS National Security Advisers’ Meeting highlight the growing instability in the global order and the diminishing effectiveness of traditional multilateral institutions in addressing modern security challenges. With conflicts, geopolitical rivalries, economic pressures, and technological disruptions occurring simultaneously, the need for stronger international cooperation has become increasingly evident. His emphasis on the decline of multilateralism reflects concerns shared by many nations seeking more effective mechanisms for conflict resolution and global governance.

The discussions underscore BRICS’ evolving role as a platform capable of advancing a more balanced and multipolar world order. With its significant demographic and economic strength, the grouping is increasingly positioned to address emerging threats such as cyberattacks, disruptive technologies, and evolving forms of terrorism. The bilateral engagements held alongside the meeting, including discussions on India-China relations and regional developments in West Asia, demonstrate the bloc’s broader diplomatic relevance and its potential to contribute to stability, security, and greater cooperation among developing nations.

(Sources: News18, Firstpost, Moneycontrol)