External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar has stressed the need to radically reform the multilateral system. Speaking at a panel discussion in the Raisina Dialogue this morning, Dr Jaishankar said, that when the UN was invented, it had approximately 50 members and now it has four times the members. He said, it is a common sense proposition that it can not continue the same way when it has four times the members. The External Affairs Minister said, that if we look at the last five years, for all the big issues, we have not been able to find a multilateral solution, so the lack of results demonstrates the case for reform.
He said, it is equally important that global rules are not gamed for unilateral benefits. Dr Jaishankar said, India has shown that values, interests, and sentiments can all contribute to the common good. The External Affairs Minister said, India is a bridging power to a great degree and that was reflected under its G20 Presidency. He said, the idea of Vishwamitra universal friend is what India is trying to promote.
Former President of Bolivia Jorge Quiroga, Dutch Minister for Foreign Affairs Hanke Bruins Slot, Foreign Minister of Tanzania January Makamba, and Diplomatic Advisor to President of UAE Anwar Bin Mohammed Gargash participated in the discussion.
