25 September 2025

• External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, during a high-level meeting of like-minded Global South countries at the sidelines of the UNGA, highlighted the weakening of multilateralism.
• He stressed the need for UN reforms, Global South consultations, and cooperative responses to global shocks.

Key Concerns Highlighted

• Global Shocks:
  • Pandemic
  • Ukraine & Gaza conflicts  
  • Climate change
  • Trade & supply chain disruptions
  • Food, fertilizer, and energy insecurity  
• Erosion of Multilateralism:
  • International organisations under- resourced and ineffective.
  • U.S. criticism and withdrawal from UN bodies (e.g., UNESCO, UNHRC).
  • Cuts in U.S. funding to the UN

India’s Position

• Push for UN reforms: especially Security Council expansion.
• Global South should coordinate to amplify voice in multilateral fora.
• India positioning itself as bridge and leader of the Global South (e.g., Voice of Global South Summit).

Participants & Representation

• 20 countries:
  • Asia: Bahrain, Indonesia, Qatar, Singapore, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Mauritius.
  • Americas: Cuba, Jamaica, St. Lucia, Trinidad & Tobago, Suriname.
  • Africa: Chad, Ghana, Lesotho, Morocco, Nigeria, Somalia.

Broader International Developments

• U.S. stance: unilateral approach, reduced reliance on UN, criticism of inefficiency.
• Geopolitical divide: Global South demanding reforms; major powers showing declining faith in multilateralism.

Static Part

• Multilateralism: Cooperative engagement of multiple countries within global institutions (UN, WTO, IMF).
• Global South: Developing nations in Asia, Africa, Latin America; often under-represented in global governance.
• UN reforms debate: G4 (India, Brazil, Germany, Japan) vs P5 resistance.
• Voice of Global South Summit: India-led initiative to integrate Global South perspectives into global decision-making.
•  Challenges to Multilateralism:
  • Rise of nationalism & protectionism.
  • Power politics and veto in UNSC.
  • Inequitable global governance (e.g., IMF quotas).

INDIA’S MUTED VOICE,ITS DETACHMENT WITH PALESTINE

• France, UK, Canada, Portugal, and Australia recently recognised Palestine.
• Over 150 of 193 UN members have recognised Palestinian statehood.
• India recognised Palestine on Nov 18, 1988, after decades of supporting the PLO.
• Recognition framed as a moral act in line with India’s worldview.

India’s Historical Role in Global Justice

• Apartheid South Africa: India raised issue in UN even before independence; cut trade ties.
• Algeria’s independence (1954–62): India a strong international supporter.
• 1971 Bangladesh Liberation: India intervened to prevent genocide; facilitated creation of Bangladesh.
• Vietnam war: India opposed foreign brutality, called for peace.
• UN Peacekeeping: India is among the largest contributors.
• Directive Principles: Promotion of international peace and security embedded in Indian Constitution.

India’s Israel–Palestine Policy

• 1974: India recognised the PLO.
• Consistent support for two-state solution, Palestinian self-determination, peaceful coexistence with Israel.
• Support for UN resolutions against occupation, settlement expansion.
• Maintains full diplomatic relations with Israel.
• Provides aid to Palestine (scholarships, health, education, capacity- building).
• Engaged via NAM, UN, OIC observer status

Recent Context (Post–Oct 2023 Conflict)

• Hamas attacks (Oct 7, 2023) followed by massive Israeli retaliation → 55,000+ Palestinian deaths, including 17,000 children.
• Gaza: destruction of infrastructure, famine-like conditions, aid obstruction.
• International silence = complicity; recognition of Palestine now seen as moral responsibility.
• India’s role: muted, despite history of moral leadership.
• Government’s silence seen as influenced by personalised diplomacy (Modi–Netanyahu).
• India signed bilateral investment agreement with Israel recently, despite global criticism of Israeli policies.

Ethical & Civilisational Imperatives for India

• Palestine’s plight parallels India’s colonial struggles.
• India’s moral authority and historical empathy should guide policy.
• Expectation is not partisanship, but principled leadership consistent with India’s values.

Global South & Multilateralism

• Jaishankar’s statement at UN (NY meeting, 20 countries):
  • Multilateralism under attack.
  • International organisations starved of resources, rendered ineffective.
  • Global South facing shocks: pandemic, Ukraine war, Gaza conflict, climate change, trade uncertainties.
  • Urged resolution of conflicts affecting food, fertilizer, energy security.
•  Meeting participants: 9 Asia, 5 Americas, 6 Africa (Sri Lanka, Maldives, Mauritius only from neighbourhood).
• Linked to India’s Voice of Global South Summit initiative.

Role of the US

• US reduced UN funding, withdrew from UNHRC, UNESCO.
• President Trump criticised UN for ineffectiveness, claimed credit for resolving conflicts.
• Undermines global multilateralism.

JUST A PINCH CAN REDUCE AN INDIAN’S SALT OVERLOAD

• Rising burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in India, especially obesity across all age groups, including children and adolescents.
• Public discourse largely focuses on high sugar and high-fat foods, but salt consumption remains under-discussed.
• WHO recommends 5–6 grams of salt per day; Indian adults consume 8–11 grams daily — almost double the recommended intake.

Key Facts / Highlights

• Sources of salt:
  • ~75% from home-made foods like pickles, papads, and traditional dishes.
  • Eating out is rising (~20% of adults eat out thrice a week). Restaurants often use more oils/butter and salt for taste.
  • Invisible salt in processed foods: bread, cookies, ketchup, cakes, pastries.
• Health impact:
  • Excess salt → hypertension (28.1% adults affected), increased risk of cardiovascular diseases.
  • Myths: Rock salt, black salt, Himalayan pink salt do not reduce health risks; all contain sodium.
• Economic argument:
  • WHO: Every $1 invested in salt reduction → $12 in health returns.

Significance / Relevance for India

• NCDs are a major public health challenge, increasing healthcare burden.
• Salt intake habits start early in childhood, making early intervention crucial.
• High salt consumption interacts with dietary transitions, urbanization, and increasing processed food intake.

Government Initiatives / Policies

• National Multisectoral Action Plan (NMAP) for NCDs (2017–22):
• Salt reduction as a priority. Ongoing public awareness campaigns on HFSS foods.
• Efforts to integrate salt reduction into school meals, Anganwadi centers, and hospitals

Challenges / Issues

• Cultural norms: salt shakers on dining tables, preference for salty taste.
• Lack of awareness and advocacy specifically targeting salt reduction.
• Misbeliefs about “healthier” salts.
• Weak regulation in processed foods: no mandatory front-of-pack labels for salt content in India yet.
• Public meals (schools, hospitals) lack stringent monitoring for salt content.

Way Forward / Recommendations

• Expand focus from sugar/oil boards → HFSS boards including salt.
• Public awareness campaigns:
  • Gradual reduction in cooking salt.
  • Use herbs and spices for flavor.
  • Low-sodium salt substitutes (with medical guidance for high-potassium salts).
• Start salt reduction early in childhood, avoid added salt for babies and toddlers.
• Reform public food procurement norms: regulate salt content in government-provided meals.
• Implement mandatory front-of-pack nutritional warning labels (example: Chile model).
•  Community/family initiatives:
  • Restaurants: salt shakers only on demand.
  • Families: review high salt, sugar, fat items weekly.
•  Strengthen integration with national health programmes, cross-ministerial coordination, and regulatory measures.

MIXED SIGNALS

• India-U.S. bilateral ties have historically been strategic, covering trade, defense, energy, and diplomatic coordination.
• Under the new U.S. administration, ties have seen ups and downs, with ongoing trade negotiations, Quad coordination, and strategic dialogues.
• High-level engagements resumed recently:
  • U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio met EAM S. Jaishankar in New York.
  • Trade talks held in Delhi and Washington.
  • U.S. Congressional delegation visited India.  
  • Possible India-U.S. leaders’ meeting at ASEAN Summit and the Quad Summit.

Key Facts / Highlights

• EAM S. Jaishankar’s 5th officially-announced visit in nine months (Dec 2024 – Jul 2025).
• Rubio-Jaishankar dialogues focused on: trade, defense, energy, pharmaceuticals, and critical minerals.

• Trade talks led by Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal: potential progress on market access in agriculture, dairy, GM foods, and FTA discussions.

• U.S. actions causing friction:
  • Revoked India’s sanctions waiver for Chabahar port.
  • Executive Order imposing $100,000 visa fee for H-1B professionals.
  • UN speech pressuring India on Russian oil imports and mediating India-Pakistan conflict.

Significance / Relevance for India

• Domestic: Impact on trade, investment, energy security, defense procurement, and Indian professionals abroad.
•  Global: India-U.S. partnership affects Quad dynamics, Indo-Pacific strategy, and India’s balancing act with Russia.

Government Initiatives / Policies / Constitutional Links

• Active trade negotiations and investment dialogues.
• Strengthening strategic dialogues under Quad and bilateral frameworks.
• Engagements aimed at diversifying defense procurement and energy security.

Challenges / Issues / Concerns

• Unpredictability in U.S. policy affecting Chabahar port operations, H-1B visas, and Russia energy ties.
• Risk of U.S. pressure undermining India’s independent foreign policy.
• Negotiation asymmetry: U.S. may leverage trade and strategic issues to influence India.

Way Forward / Recommendations

• Maintain steady, high-level engagement to resolve trade disputes and strategic differences.
• Diversify energy and defense partnerships to reduce dependency.
• Assert India’s independent foreign policy while remaining pragmatic in negotiations.
• Prepare for “walk-away” scenarios in case of unmanageable U.S. pressures.

• The UN turned 80, prompting reflection on its relevance and effectiveness.
•  Its founding mandate: maintain international peace and security, promote human rights, development, and humanitarian relief.
•  Current crises (Gaza, Ukraine, Sudan, Haiti) expose both UN weaknesses and its indispensability.
•  Global powers (US, China, Europe, Gulf states) engage in selective multilateralism, impacting UN funding and effectiveness.
• Secretary-General António Guterres’ UN80 plan: austerity-driven “triage” reform (budget cuts, staff reductions, digitisation, mandate trimming).

Key Facts / Highlights

• US underfunding: arrears unpaid; prioritises security over food, health, climate, migration.
• China: 20% of mandatory contributions, limited voluntary funding; rhetoric exceeds action.
•  Europe: rules-oriented, declining funding under domestic pressures.
•  Gulf states: spend selectively to boost influence, not systemically.
•  Peacekeeping is under-resourced; African nations demand reform.
• Vulnerable nations (Small Island States, Africa) need resilience finance, disaster relief, and climate adaptation funds.
• UN’s authority depends on both resources and leadership; next Secretary-General crucial for renewal.

Significance / Relevance for India

•  India straddles interests: relies on predictable rules & collective security, while sharing Global South frustration with P5 dominance and underfunding.
• Opportunities:
  • Advocate for peacekeeping and digital governance reforms.
  • Push for pooled humanitarian response, climate action, and resilience financing.
  • Potential to bridge the gap between UN’s faltering mandate and Global South demands.

Government Initiatives / Policies / Constitutional Links

• India participates actively in UN peacekeeping missions.
• Advocates for reform of UN institutions and equitable Global South representation.
• Engages in multilateral diplomacy for climate, digital governance, and humanitarian coordination.

Challenges / Issues / Concerns

• UN Security Council paralysis (Ukraine, Sudan).
• Selective engagement by major powers undermining multilateralism.
• Funding shortfalls and arrears limiting UN effectiveness.
• Structural reform slow; risk of gradual irrelevance.  
• Peacekeeping and humanitarian efforts under- resourced.
• Leadership vacuum and P5 dominance in Secretary- General selection.

Way Forward / Recommendations

• Structural reforms to enhance efficiency and accountability.
• Increased, predictable contributions from all member states, not selective funding.
• Support for resilience finance, climate adaptation, and pooled humanitarian mechanisms.
• Leadership renewal, including consideration for the first woman Secretary-General.
• India to take proactive role in shaping UN priorities for Global South needs.

LADAKH PROTEST:DEMAND FOR STATEHOOD,SIXTH SCHEDULE INCLUSION

Context & Bachground

• Ladakh agitation: Recent protests in Leh for statehood and inclusion under the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution.
• Trigger: Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk has been on a 35-day fast pressing for Ladakh’s demands.
• Historical/Policy Context:
  • Sixth Schedule (Article 244): Provides autonomous administrative divisions (Autonomous District Councils) with legislative, judicial, and administrative autonomy.
  • Currently applies only to Northeastern states: Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Tripura.
  • Ladakh was carved out as a Union Territory in 2019, but local groups want enhanced autonomy to protect land, jobs, and culture.

Key Facts / Highlights

• Next talks: Scheduled on October 6 between Union Home Ministry and Ladakh representatives.
• Delegation changes: Sonam Wangchuk removed; former MP Thupstan Chheang included.
• Govt proposals: Alternative safeguards like domicile-based job reservations and local language recognition.
• Protests: Violence in Leh marked a deviation from previously peaceful campaigns.
• Land dispute: 1,000 kanals allotted to Wangchuk’s institute canceled due to alleged irregularities.
• Political dynamics: Leh (Buddhist-majority), Kargil (Muslim-majority); Kargil Democratic Alliance supports protests.

Significance / Relevance for India

• Domestic: Highlights challenges of Union Territory governance, regional aspirations, and youth unemployment.
• Political: Reflects tensions between local demands and central administration, test of India’s commitment to democratic dialogue.
• Security & Stability: Unrest in border areas (Ladakh shares a border with China) has strategic implications.

Government Initiatives / Policies / Constitutional Links

•  Sixth Schedule: Autonomous governance model.
• Union Territory model: Current administrative arrangement since 2019.
• Domicile-based protections: Offered as an alternative to Sixth Schedule.

Challenges / Issues / Concerns

• Centre’s reluctance: Avoids Sixth Schedule due to administrative and political implications.
• Local discontent: Youth unemployment, land rights, and cultural identity.
• Political fragmentation: Differences within Leh Apex Body (Wangchuk vs Chheang).
• Escalation risk: Peaceful protests turning violent.

Way Forward / Recommendations

• Dialogue: Inclusive talks involving local leaders and civil society.
• Balanced autonomy: Explore customized constitutional safeguards if Sixth Schedule is not feasible.
• Youth engagement: Employment and skill development initiatives.
• Conflict prevention: Mechanism to address grievances before protests escalate.