Jaishankar calls for urgent multilateral reforms, cites India-UAE partnership as model

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has called for urgent reforms to multilateral institutions to bring them in line with the changing global order, highlighting stronger cooperation among smaller groups of countries as a way to advance the process.

Speaking at the Middle East edition of the Raisina Dialogue in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday, Jaishankar cited the India-UAE partnership over the past decade as an example of how countries can adapt to changing geopolitical circumstances through closer cooperation.

He made the remarks during a discussion titled ‘The World Ahead: Power, Purpose & Possibility’, alongside UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al-Nahyan.

“The reform of multilateralism is urgent. It can be supported through stronger minilateralism,” Jaishankar said, underlining the need for countries to reassess traditional approaches to international cooperation as global dynamics shift.

Jaishankar highlights shifting global order

Jaishankar said the accelerating transformation of the global order reflected both long-term trends and immediate shocks, encouraging countries to explore new partnerships and alternatives suited to their individual circumstances.

“New partnerships and fresh options are inevitably explored in that pursuit,” he said in a social media post following the discussion.

The minister also stressed the need for countries to move beyond their traditional comfort zones and develop greater strategic awareness to navigate the evolving international environment.

Minilateralism refers to cooperation among a relatively small group of countries to address specific issues. Such arrangements can enable governments to work together more effectively when larger multilateral forums struggle to reach a consensus.

Citing bilateral ties with the UAE, Jaishankar said the partnership between the two countries over the past decade demonstrated how nations could respond to changes in the global environment.

“The India-UAE partnership of the last decade is a great example of our two nations responding to the changing global environment,” he said.

Jaishankar holds bilateral talks with UAE counterpart

Separately, Jaishankar held a bilateral meeting with Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al-Nahyan in Abu Dhabi, describing the interaction as “warm and productive”.

The two leaders exchanged views on bilateral and global issues in the spirit of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between India and the UAE. Their discussions reflected the countries' continued engagement on shared priorities and regional and international developments.

Jaishankar arrived in the UAE on Wednesday for a three-day official visit to review progress in bilateral relations. He is also participating in the Raisina Dialogue's Middle East edition, which brings together policymakers and experts to discuss international affairs and regional challenges.

Trade, energy and Indian diaspora underpin ties

India and the UAE have expanded cooperation across trade, investment, energy, defence and security in recent years. The Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), which came into force in May 2022, has provided a framework for strengthening bilateral trade and economic engagement.

The UAE remains an important partner for India in the Gulf region, serving as a major destination for Indian expatriates and a significant source of energy supplies and investment.

According to the Embassy of India in Abu Dhabi, Indian nationals form the UAE's largest expatriate community, accounting for approximately 35% of the country's population. The number of resident Indian nationals was estimated at 4.3 million in 2024.

Around 15% of the Indian diaspora in the UAE lives in Abu Dhabi, while the remainder is spread across the other six emirates, including Dubai. Kerala has the largest representation among Indian states, followed by Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. People from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Punjab and several other states also make up significant sections of the Indian community.

The extensive economic and people-to-people links provide a foundation for the two countries' expanding strategic partnership as they seek to strengthen cooperation amid a rapidly changing global order.