The COVID-19 pandemic did more than disrupt global health systems; it exposed a deeper structural crisis in the international order — the steady erosion of multilateralism. The pandemic highlighted the complex nature of contemporary global challenges. On one hand, it was cross-national, unrestricted by borders. On the other, it was cross-domain, where disruption in health systems quickly spilled over into economic, technological, and security domains.
Despite the urgent need for collective action, the initial global response was marked by competition rather than cooperation. Vaccine nationalism, supply-chain disruptions, and strategic mistrust dominated the early phase of the crisis. This moment revealed the limitations of existing multilateral mechanisms and raised serious questions about their effectiveness.
Against this backdrop, India articulated a reform-oriented vision of multilateralism. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call to “Collaborate to Win” underscored the belief that global crises cannot be addressed through unilateral or fragmented responses. Rather than rejecting existing institutions, India emphasised the need to strengthen and reform them to reflect contemporary realities.
However, the weakening of multilateralism was not solely a product of the pandemic. Several structural challenges had already undermined collective global action.
One major challenge has been the growing practice of lawfare — the strategic use of international and domestic laws to gain geopolitical advantage. The imposition of extraterritorial sanctions by powerful states has constrained the policy autonomy of developing countries and deepened inequalities within the global system.
Another concern is the weaponisation of global supply chains. Control over critical supply networks by a few advanced economies has created new power asymmetries, where commercial dominance increasingly overlaps with strategic influence. This convergence has reshaped global power relations and heightened vulnerabilities for states dependent on external supply chains.
A third challenge lies in the absence of a unified global framework on key transnational issues such as terrorism, climate change, cybersecurity, and public health. The lack of consensus and coordination delayed collective responses, allowing crises like COVID-19 to escalate into global emergencies.
India’s engagement with multilateralism has been shaped by its civilisational ethos of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam — the idea that the world is one family. This perspective is reflected in India’s advocacy for institutional reforms, its engagement with both developed and developing nations, and its emphasis on inclusive global governance. Rather than positioning itself as a disruptive power, India has increasingly sought to act as a bridge between diverse global interests.
As global challenges become more interconnected, the future of multilateralism will depend on trust, representation, and adaptability. India’s approach suggests that meaningful cooperation remains possible — but only if global institutions evolve in line with changing geopolitical and economic realities.
The author is working on a forthcoming book titled India’s Global Shift, which examines India’s evolving role in global governance, power transitions, and multilateral reform in the 21st century.
