What happened?
India’s External Affairs Minister (EAM), Dr Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, while addressing the second India International Centre (IIC)-Bruegel Annual Seminar in Delhi on 4 February 2025, reiterated India’s position on multilateralism on a global scale, saying different standards have been applied to countries in the East and the West. The minister called out the selective and uneven application of “matters of principle” for different countries and asserted that any global agenda can no longer be set by a handful of powers.
Why it matters to India:
Speaking at the second IIC-Bruegel Annual Seminar in Delhi, the EAM said, “The world is currently witnessing two major conflicts. These are often presented as matters of principle. We are told that the very future of the world order is at stake. Yet, the record shows how selectively and unevenly these principles have been applied.”
Emphasis on multilateralism, as highlighted by the EAM, reflects India’s ambition to reshape global governance structures to be more inclusive and equitable. This stance matters to India because it seeks to challenge the dominance of a few Western powers in setting international norms, advocating instead for a system that recognises the voices of emerging economies. By calling out the selective application of global principles, India aims to protect its strategic interests, strengthen its global influence, and ensure that international rules are fairer to countries in the Global South.