Jaishankar Advocates Reformed Multilateralism as Key to Navigating a Fragmented Global Landscape

External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar delivered a thoughtful keynote address at the 21st Jeju Forum for Peace and Prosperity in South Korea, urging the international community to embrace reformed multilateralism amid growing global fragmentation. His remarks highlighted the need for adaptive cooperation in an era defined by shifting power dynamics, economic interdependencies, and emerging challenges.

EAM S Jaishankar during the Jeju Forum for Peace and Prosperity, 2026, in South Korea.(Photo: PTI) | Business Standard

Understanding Fragmentation in Today’s World

Jaishankar described the current international order as undergoing a complex rebalancing across economic, political, and cultural spheres. While globalisation has fostered greater connectivity through supply chains and shared markets, competing interests have introduced new tensions. He observed that the world has always experienced a mix of integration and division, but today’s fragmentation is marked by deeper economic interdependence alongside strategic rivalries over resources, technology, and production capabilities.

Notably, the minister viewed fragmentation not solely as a problem but also as an opportunity. It can lead to reduced dominance by any single set of players, creating more space for broader participation and democratisation of global affairs. However, he cautioned that its potential downsides — impacts on efficiency, stability, and security — require proactive and collaborative responses through enhanced international cooperation.

A Practical Framework for Reinventing Cooperation

In addressing the forum’s central theme of reinventing cooperation, Jaishankar presented a clear and constructive path forward. He emphasised the importance of de-risking the global economy by diversifying production and supply chains, thereby building resilience and redundancy to safeguard against disruptions.

He further stressed the value of agenda-specific partnerships among nations to tackle shared challenges effectively. Protecting established international laws and regimes, including critical frameworks such as the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, remains essential. Equally important is providing the Global South with expanded capacity, opportunities, and a stronger voice in decision-making processes.

At the heart of this approach lies reformed multilateralism. “The world cannot rely on a few to uphold rules and norms,” Jaishankar stated. “The world must take more control over its own future. This, amongst others, must be expressed in reformed multilateralism.” This vision aims to make global institutions more representative of contemporary realities while enabling the collective delivery of global public goods.

Challenges and the Broader Context

Jaishankar pointed to real-world pressures, such as disruptions in energy supplies and access to critical minerals, which underscore the vulnerabilities in current systems. He noted that non-market factors, double standards in addressing issues like terrorism and climate change, and the prioritisation of narrow interests often hinder equitable progress for developing nations.

In this environment, India continues to champion a balanced foreign policy that combines strategic partnerships — including deepening ties with countries like South Korea — with advocacy for inclusive global governance. This stance reflects a long-term commitment to multipolarity that benefits a wider range of nations rather than concentrating influence among a few.

The MGMM Outlook 

Dr. S. Jaishankar’s remarks at the Jeju Forum reflect the growing need to rethink global governance in response to an increasingly fragmented world. His recognition that fragmentation can create opportunities for wider participation, while also presenting challenges to stability and security, highlights a pragmatic understanding of contemporary international realities. The emphasis on diversifying supply chains, strengthening economic resilience, and encouraging broader cooperation demonstrates an approach that seeks to balance national interests with collective global responsibility.

The call for reformed multilateralism carries particular significance at a time when existing international institutions often struggle to represent current geopolitical and economic realities. Greater inclusion of the Global South in decision-making processes, adherence to international norms, and stronger agenda-based partnerships can contribute to a more equitable and effective global order. India’s advocacy for multipolarity and inclusive governance underscores its commitment to ensuring that global institutions evolve in a manner that reflects the aspirations and interests of a wider community of nations.

(Sources: Business Standard, NDTV, Economic Times)