An Alliance for Multilateralism by Other Means

GS Paper II – International Relations | Multilateral Institutions | Global Governance | Multilateralism | India and the Global Order

Context : Traditional multilateral institutions are facing a crisis of trust and effectiveness. Countries need new platforms to promote cooperation, reform global institutions and address emerging global challenges.

Multilaterialism
Multilateralism means cooperation among three or more countries to address common international problems through dialogue, rules and institutions.

Examples:

• United Nations (UN)
• World Trade Organization (WTO)
• World Health Organization (WHO)

Issue with the Current Multilateralism 

The article highlights three major reasons:

• Declining US leadership: The US, traditionally a major supporter and guarantor of the international system, is increasingly rejecting certain international rules and commitments.
• Violation of international norms: Major powers are increasingly ignoring international rules without facing adequate consequences. 
• Changing global power balance: Developing countries, particularly from the Global South, are demanding a greater role in global decision-making.
• Concerns of Global South : Global institutions do not adequately represent developing countries, decision-making power is concentrated among a few powerful nations, developing countries often have limited influence over international economic and political decisions

The existing global institutions were largely shaped by powerful countries after World War II. Today, the distribution of economic and political power has changed, but global institutions have not evolved sufficiently.

Consequently, developing countries are demanding reforms.

What is Partners for Multilateralism (P4M)?

P4M – Partners for Multilateralism a new international initiative launched during the 81st UN General Assembly week in September 2025. 

It is co-sponsored by:

• Australia
• Brazil
• Barbados
• Canada
• European Union (EU)
• India
• Kenya

Additionally, 18 other countries have signed the declaration.

Key objectives of P4M : 

● Defend the UN Charter and international law , including sovereign equality and peaceful

settlement of disputes.

● Reform multilateral institutions , particularly the UN, to make decision-making more

participatory and transparent.

● Promote cooperation on climate change, AI, global health, development finance, digital

transformation and resilient supply chains .

● Build coalitions and practical cooperation among countries to address shared global

challenges.

.

An important point is that P4M brings together countries from both the Global North and Global South.

This makes it different from initiatives dominated by a single group of powerful countries.

Significance of P4M for India

India’s participation in P4M is important from the perspective of its foreign policy.

•  Voice of the Global South– India can strengthen its position as a representative of developing countries and advocate reforms in global institutions.
•  Strategic autonomy– India can cooperate with different groups of countries without becoming dependent on any single power bloc.
• Multipolar world order– India supports a global order in which power and decision-making are distributed among multiple countries rather than concentrated in a few powerful nations.
•  Reform of global governance– India has consistently advocated reforms in institutions such as the UN Security Council and international financial institutions.
•  International cooperation– P4M provides another platform for India to cooperate on common challenges such as climate change, development and global security.

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