Jaishankar calls for more democratic international legal structure
UPSC / SSC current affairs note · Economy
Why in news
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, speaking at the 60th anniversary of UNCITRAL, called for making the international legal architecture more democratic and inclusive, especially for the Global South. He highlighted geopolitical volatility, supply chain disruptions, and technological shifts as challenges requiring legal predictability.
Background
UNCITRAL (United Nations Commission on International Trade Law) is a core UN body for harmonizing international trade law. Its 60th anniversary in 2026 prompted discussions on reforming global legal frameworks.
Key facts
Jaishankar spoke at the 60th anniversary of UNCITRAL.
He urged making international legal structure more democratic, inclusive, and sensitive to Global South realities.
He cited unprecedented geopolitical volatility, supply chain disruptions, and rapid technological shifts.
These changes affect cross-border movement of goods, services, capital, and data.
He stressed that no country can be resilient in isolation amid these risks.
Nations seek not just infrastructure and connectivity but also legal predictability.
The speech was made at an ASEAN meet in Manila, where he also called for choking terror financing and safe shipping lanes.
The event took place on July 25, 2026.
Prelims pointers
- UNCITRAL: United Nations Commission on International Trade Law
- UNCITRAL established in 1966
- ASEAN: Association of Southeast Asian Nations
- Global South: term for developing countries
- External Affairs Minister: S. Jaishankar
- Manila: capital of Philippines
Mains angles
- GS2: India's foreign policy and advocacy for Global South in international institutions
- GS2: Reforming global governance structures like UN and UNCITRAL
- GS3: Impact of geopolitical volatility and supply chain disruptions on trade and economy
- GS2: India-ASEAN relations and regional cooperation