On 21 September 2026, the United Nations General Assembly in New York became the backdrop for a fresh diplomatic experiment. A cluster of middle-power states, spanning five continents, assembled under the banner of the Partners for Multilateralism (P4M) to discuss how the current international system might be reshaped.
India, represented by External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar played a central role by co-chairing the inaugural summit. Jaishankar opened the meeting by noting, “We meet at a time when the global order is under stress” a sentence that set the tone for a day focused on collective action and institutional reform.
Launch of the Partners for Multilateralism summit
The summit was jointly hosted by a diverse set of leaders: António Costa president of the European Council; William Ruto president of Kenya; Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley Canada’s Foreign Affairs minister Mark Carney Brazil’s Foreign Affairs minister Mario Vieira and India’s Subrahmanyam Jaishankar. Their shared agenda emphasized the reinforcement of multilateralism, international law, peace and prosperity.
During the opening session, the participants outlined a three-point agenda: strengthening the United Nations’ capacity to respond to crises, pursuing a comprehensive reform of the Security Council, and safeguarding freedom of navigation in key maritime corridors. The gathering was positioned as a counterweight to the dominance of traditional great powers, highlighting the rising influence of middle powers in global governance.
Key commitments from participating nations
Each co-host pledged concrete actions. The European Union, represented by President Costa, committed to supporting a “fair and accountable” Security Council that reflects today’s geopolitical realities. Kenya’s President Ruto emphasized the need for African voices to be heard in decisions about climate finance and conflict resolution.
Australia’s Prime Minister Albanese highlighted the Pacific’s strategic importance, calling for “enhanced cooperation on maritime security and climate adaptation.” Barbados Prime Minister Mottley, speaking for the Caribbean, urged the summit to address the disproportionate effects of climate change on small island states.
Canada’s Mark Carney and Brazil’s Mario Vieira echoed the call for a more inclusive trade architecture, proposing joint initiatives on digital trade standards and sustainable development financing. In parallel, India’s Jaishankar stressed that the P4M platform would serve as a “forum for middle powers to coordinate positions on reform proposals, from the Security Council to the World Health Organization.”
India-France dialogue on security council reform and navigation freedom
On the same day, French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noël Barrot met Jaishankar on the sidelines of the General Assembly. The two ministers reiterated France and India’s joint resolve to pursue a revamped Security Council, stressing that “the existing structure no longer mirrors the distribution of power in the world.”
Both officials also voiced support for an immediate cease-fire in Ukraine, describing a “comprehensive, just, and lasting peace” as essential to upholding international law. Their conversation turned to maritime security, with Barrot highlighting the strategic significance of the Straits of Hormuz and Bab al-Mandeb. He proposed collaborative measures to guarantee free navigation, recalling a Franco-British initiative aimed at safeguarding the Hormuz corridor.
The meeting underscored progress in the Indo-French strategic partnership, especially in defence, emerging technologies and higher-education exchanges. The ministers agreed to deepen cooperation in these sectors, viewing them as pillars of a resilient multilateral order.
While concrete outcomes will take time to materialise, the collective declaration—backed by leaders from New York, New Delhi, Paris, Nairobi, Canberra and beyond—demonstrates a growing willingness to challenge the status quo and chart a more inclusive path forward.
