India’s responsibilities in a deteriorating multilateral order

Source: The post India’s responsibilities in a deteriorating multilateral order has been created, based on the article “UN-American” published in “Indian Express” on 23 September 2025. India’s responsibilities in a deteriorating multilateral order.

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 2 –International Relations-Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests.

Context: As the UN General Assembly meets for its 80th session, Washington’s sharp turn from multilateralism under President Trump intensifies. A sovereignty-first agenda, sweeping withdrawals, and deep funding cuts shrink UN relevance, while China expands its influence. India faces risks and openings amid gridlock, financial strain, and stalled reforms.

For detailed information on US Shift From Multilateralism Impacts Global Order and India’s Role read this article here

What changed in Washington?

1. Second-term deconstruction drive: Trump appears more powerful and less constrained than in 2017–21. He moves decisively to reduce the UN’s salience in the global order.
2. “Peace president” framing vs UNSC: He claims to have “ended seven wars” and presents himself as a peacemaker. The narrative targets a populist base skeptical of “endless wars,” while implying he outperforms the Security Council on peace and security.
3. Sovereignty-first template since 2017: His maiden UN speech rejected globalism and elevated national sovereignty. Cooperation is acceptable only without constraining domestic decision-making or prosperity.
4. From reversals to doubling down: After Biden rejoined key bodies, the second term converts disruption into comprehensive policy: repeated exits, threats, and policy blocks return with greater scope.

What is the current US policy toolkit?

1. Project 2025 as ideological playbook: The Heritage Foundation’s manifesto urges slashing contributions to agencies seen as undermining sovereignty or advancing gender and LGBT agendas. It seeks to reshape multilateral bodies to serve US aims and even contemplates leaving the UN if alignment fails.
2. Rapid withdrawals and halted pledges: Since January 2025, the US again left WHO, UNESCO, and the Human Rights Council. It ended funding to UNRWA. It halted support for the Paris Agreement and the Loss and Damage Fund.
3. Deep cuts to UN operations: There is an unprecedented cut of over 80% in US contributions to UN operations, including peacekeeping and global health. The financial squeeze widens a governance vacuum.

How does China exploit the vacuum?

1. Systematic placement in key roles: Beijing campaigns to install nationals in influential leadership, technical, and administrative posts shaping standards, auditing, and membership decisions.
2. Programmatic activism aligned to strategy: It sponsors development initiatives linked to the Belt and Road and promotes “global development,” “global security,” “global civilisation,” and “global governance” as pillars of leadership.
3. Indispensable, not yet dominant: China has not supplanted US dominance, but US disengagement has made its activism indispensable in many forums.

Why is multilateralism faltering?

1. From high-water mark to fatigue: The early-2000s momentum—WTO launch and Millennium Development Goals—has ebbed. Populist nationalism, China’s rise, and transatlantic divisions erode consensus.
2. Security Council paralysis: US–China and US–Russia rivalries gridlock the Council. Even humanitarian files stall behind competing vetoes.
3. Financial crisis and blocked reform: Agencies face shrinking voluntary contributions and budget stress. UNSC expansion and wider reforms remain stuck.

What should India do now?

1. Reframe aims as a middle power: Craft workable multilateralism for an age of rivalry and rapid change. Old tropes and broad demands on the North have little traction.
2. Prioritise few, high-impact agendas: Focus on select priorities (e.g., global AI governance). Build coalitions that bridge North–South to turn ideas into rules.
3. Match status with money and reform: Raise India’s assessed contribution (~$38 million, under 1%) and expand voluntary funding to aligned agencies. China pays ~$680 million (~20%); the US ~$820 million (~22%). Pursue system-wide reform beyond Council expansion: trim bureaucracy, fix overlaps, and narrow mandates.
4. Strategic takeaway: Trump’s second-term push shows the order’s fragility. China has not offered a broadly accepted alternative. To shape rules, India must shoulder greater responsibility and help design a credible, balanced multilateralism.

Question for practice:

Evaluate how India should respond to US retrenchment and China’s growing activism at the UN to shape a credible, balanced multilateral order.