News Brief
At G20 Meet, Jaishankar Calls For End To 'Coercion', Stresses Global Agenda Cannot Be Driven By A Few
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar.
In a veiled dig at China, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar called for and end to coercion on the world stage.
He stressed that the global agenda cannot be narrowed down to the interests of a few.
Speaking at the first G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Johannesburg, Jaishankar said that the member nations must also recognise that multilateralism itself lies deeply damaged and that the UN and its Security Council are often grid-locked, India Today reported.
He emphasised that all countries should uphold respect for international treaties, specifically the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
"Agreements entered into must be observed and there must be no room for coercion," he asserted.
Pushing for institutional reform at global bodies, he called for an overhaul of the UN Security Council’s functioning, urging greater transparency and inclusivity in global governance.
"Just getting the UNSC back to work is not enough; its working methods and representation must change. More plurilateralism is required to plug global deficits. International cooperation itself must be less opaque or unilateral. And the global agenda cannot be narrowed down to the interests of a few," he stated.
His comments came after China took part in Pakistan's AMAN-2025 naval exercise, which saw the participation of various nations such as the United States, Japan, Italy, and Indonesia.
China's increased naval presence in the Indian Ocean in the guise of anti-piracy and maritime security has raised New Delhi's concerns, especially in the wake of Beijing's "String of Pearls" strategy to increase military influence in the region.
India, as a rebuttal, held its own massive naval exercise, TROPEX, to test its war readiness.
Emphasising India's role in upholding maritime security, Jaishankar stressed the crucial role being played by the Indian Navy in maintaining regional stability, especially in the Arabian Sea and Gulf of Aden.
"Ensuring maritime security in and around this region is also essential. Indian naval forces have contributed to that in the Arabian Sea and Gulf of Aden. Restoring normal maritime commerce remains a priority," he noted.
Turning to global conflicts, he welcomed the ceasefire in Gaza, condemned terrorism, and supported humanitarian assistance and a two-state solution.
"Maintaining the ceasefire in Lebanon and ensuring an inclusive Syrian-led, Syrian-owned solution are important," he said.
Regarding the Russia-Ukraine war, Jaishankar reiterated India’s consistent stance on diplomacy and peaceful negotiations.
"Regarding the Ukraine conflict, we have long advocated dialogue and diplomacy. Today, the world expects that parties concerned deal with each other to end the war," he remarked.
There have been reports that US President Donald Trump is negotiating a peace agreement with Russia, with fears that European leaders and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky could be excluded from negotiations.
Wrapping up his speech, Jaishankar emphasised the importance of diplomacy in stopping conflicts from getting out of hand. He called on G20 nations to maintain international law, honour the UN Charter, and bolster global institutions.
"Differences must not become disputes, disputes should not become conflicts, and conflicts should not lead to a bigger breakdown. There are lessons from the last few years for all of us to reflect on. But equally, an experience to draw upon as we seek to lead the world to a better place," he concluded.
