Jaishankar Calls For Urgent Multilateral Reform As India, UAE Discuss Ties Amid West Asia Tensions

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday called for urgent reforms in multilateral institutions to reflect the changing global order, as he met United Arab Emirates (UAE) Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi amid tensions in West Asia.

Jaishankar made the remarks during a session of the second Raisina Middle East Forum, titled ‘The World Ahead: Power, Purpose & Possibility’, alongside his UAE counterpart. He stressed that the accelerating pace of global change, driven by long-term trends and immediate shocks, was pushing countries to explore new partnerships and strategic options.

According to reports, Jaishankar also highlighted how cooperation among smaller groups of countries could help advance reforms in the existing international system. He cited the India-UAE partnership over the past decade as an example of how countries are adapting to a changing global environment.

In a post on X, Jaishankar said countries were responding to global developments according to their specific circumstances, with new partnerships and fresh options becoming inevitable.

Earlier, Jaishankar held a meeting with Sheikh Abdullah to discuss bilateral and global issues. The two leaders reviewed progress under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and the Comprehensive Economic Partnership between the two countries.

According to the UAE foreign ministry, their discussions covered trade and investment, economic cooperation and other areas aligned with the development priorities of both countries. They also exchanged views on the evolving regional situation as tensions continue to shape the geopolitical environment across West Asia.

Jaishankar’s October 14-16 visit to the UAE is aimed at reviewing bilateral ties and strengthening cooperation. The engagement comes as renewed tensions involving the United States and Iran have raised concerns over regional stability and global energy markets.

India and the UAE share longstanding ties rooted in trade, cultural exchanges and strong people-to-people connections. Formal diplomatic relations were established in 1972, building on centuries of commercial links across the Arabian Sea.

During his visit, Jaishankar also met Georgia’s Foreign Minister Maka Botchorishvili to discuss expanding cooperation in trade, tourism, education, connectivity, culture and people-to-people exchanges. The two sides also discussed regional developments.

The meetings underline India’s efforts to strengthen strategic partnerships while navigating a rapidly changing global order.