Multilateralism must assert itself strongly to protect global cooperation, the Indian foreign minister has told the P4M, a new alliance of nations

Geopolitical tensions and active conflicts are putting the global order under growing strain, India has warned, saying that multilateralism must "assert itself strongly" to protect international cooperation.

Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar made the remarks at the inaugural Partners for Multilateralism, International Law, Peace and Prosperity (P4M) Summit in New York on Monday, held on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

The Indian foreign minister called for "reformed multilateralism," saying more participative deliberations and transparent decision-making were overdue and could strengthen confidence in the UN system.

"Multilateralism will be best served when international law, rules, and norms are scrupulously observed," he said.

Jaishankar pointed to the impact of ongoing conflicts on fuel, food, fertilizer, and finance, saying those pressures could be addressed even as countries pursue broader peace efforts. He also called for diversification where global supply chains face chokepoints, dominance, or disruption, and for safeguards around emerging technologies and capabilities.

The P4M initiative brings together India, Australia, Barbados, Brazil, Canada, Kenya, and the European Union as its initial co-sponsors. Its declaration calls for the UN and other multilateral institutions to become more representative, inclusive, and effective, alongside greater cooperation on resilient supply chains, international finance, artificial intelligence, climate change, and global health.

The push aligns with a similar call by India at the BRICS Summit in New Delhi earlier this month. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said global governance should reflect present-day realities and called for greater representation of the Global South, including at the UN Security Council.

The BRICS leaders' New Delhi Declaration backed comprehensive reform of the UN, including its Security Council, to increase the representation of developing countries. China and Russia also reiterated their support for India and Brazil to play a greater role at the UN, including the Security Council.

India's bid for permanent Security Council membership received fresh backing in New York. Slovak Foreign Minister Juraj Blanar said the Visegrad Group - Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic - supported India becoming a permanent member of the council.