India will join several countries supporting United Nations-based multilateralism through the new Partners for Multilateralism (P4M) initiative. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar will attend the grouping’s inaugural meeting in New York on September 21, 2026.

The initiative has been founded by leaders of the European Union, Brazil, Kenya and Canada. It seeks to support the UN while pushing for reforms to make multilateral institutions more representative and better prepared for emerging global challenges.

India to Join Inaugural UN Session

Why in the News?

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar will participate in the inaugural Partners for Multilateralism (P4M) meeting at the UN in New York.

  • The meeting will take place on September 21, 2026.
  • Jaishankar will lead the Indian delegation during the UN sessions.
  • He will deliver India’s national address at UNGA on September 26.
  • P4M has been founded by the European Union, Brazil, Kenya and Canada.
  • The grouping will make its pitch during the UN General Assembly’s high-level debate this week.

What are Partners for Multilateralism?

Partners for Multilateralism (P4M) is a new initiative involving countries that support UN-based multilateralism and want to work away from superpower politics.

The initiative was founded by leaders of:

  • European Union
  • Brazil
  • Kenya
  • Canada

The founders have said that P4M will support the UN while also seeking reforms to make multilateral institutions more representative, legitimate, effective and trusted.

Objectives of P4M

The founders have identified several global challenges that require greater international cooperation. These include:

  • Artificial Intelligence (AI)
  • Climate change
  • Health security
  • Digital transformation

The grouping seeks to support reforms of the UN and other multilateral institutions.

According to the founders, the aim is to make these institutions:

  • More representative
  • More legitimate
  • More effective
  • More trusted

Jaishankar’s Participation

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar will attend the inaugural P4M session in New York.

  • The session is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. in New York.
  • This corresponds to 4:00 a.m. IST on Tuesday.
  • The meeting will be followed by a press conference.
  • Jaishankar will lead India's delegation at the UN sessions throughout the week.
  • He will deliver India's national address at UNGA on September 26.

It remains unclear whether India was asked to join the joint message of the grouping.

India and Other Multilateral Groupings

India is already part of several international groupings with similar objectives.

These include:

  • Non-Aligned Movement (NAM)
  • BRICS
  • G20
  • G-4

India's participation in P4M therefore comes alongside its involvement in several other multilateral platforms.

Why Has P4M Been Created?

The initiative comes amid concerns about the ability of existing international institutions to respond to global challenges. The founders have argued that countries need to work together across political and regional divisions. They have stated that P4M would not create another exclusive bloc or international bureaucracy. Instead, the initiative is intended to provide a:

  • Flexible framework
  • Open framework
  • Platform for countries from different regions and political traditions
  • Mechanism for building coalitions for reform
  • Means of translating shared principles into practical action

The Role of Middle Powers

The initiative also reflects discussions about the role of middle powers in international affairs. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney had spoken about middle powers coming together at the World Economic Forum in Davos in January 2026. His speech indicated growing dissatisfaction with unilateral moves and conflicts involving major powers. The concerns mentioned in the source included:

  • Russia and China
  • The United States
  • Trade and tariffs
  • Expansionist moves
  • The conflict in Iran

UN Reform and Multilateralism

P4M's founders have emphasised the need to reform the UN and other multilateral institutions. The proposed reforms are aimed at making international institutions more capable of addressing contemporary challenges.

  • The founders have argued that countries should work across political and regional divisions rather than create another exclusive international bloc.

Global Conflict and Military Spending

The P4M initiative has also highlighted the growing level of global conflict and military spending. According to the editorial by the four founding leaders:

  • 2025 recorded the highest number of state-based armed conflicts since 1946.
  • State-based armed conflicts were recorded in 35 countries.
  • Global military spending reached nearly $3 trillion.

The founders have used these developments to underline the need for greater collective international action.

UN Secretary-General’s View

The P4M founders referred to comments by UN Secretary-General António Guterres about the limits of superpower influence. Guterres said that “superpowers are discovering their limits” and argued for greater collective action by the international community.

  • He had also said that major powers needed to recognise the limits of their power.
  • According to Guterres, this could help create a more peaceful international environment.

Conclusion

Partners for Multilateralism (P4M) is a new initiative founded by the European Union, Brazil, Kenya and Canada to support UN-based multilateralism and promote reforms in international institutions. India will participate in its inaugural meeting through External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar. The initiative seeks a more representative, legitimate, effective, and trusted multilateral system while providing an open framework for countries from different regions and political traditions to work together on issues such as AI, climate change, health security, and digital transformation.