🔆 Examine the Reasoning Behind India’s Proposal for ‘New Orientation for a Reformed Multilateral System (NORMS)’
📍 Introduction
✅ Multilateralism is key to global governance, promoting cooperation among nations.
✅ India recently proposed NORMS to reform this system.
📍 Background on Multilateral Institutions
✅ Institutions like the United Nations (UN), World Health Organization (WHO), and International Monetary Fund (IMF) have historically guided global governance.
✅ They influence peace, health, and economic stability worldwide.
📍 Rationale Behind the NORMS Proposal
• Lack of Inclusivity and Representation
◦ UN Security Council’s permanent members remain unchanged since 1945, excluding many Global South nations (UN reports).
• Misuse of Veto Power
◦ From 1970 to 2021, US, Russia, China, UK, and France used veto over 130 times, blocking key resolutions (Atlantic Council).
• Altered Global Order
◦ COVID-19 pandemic saw countries sourcing vaccines beyond traditional suppliers (WHO reports).
• Western Dominance
◦ Western nations influence decisions, IMF loans often favor Western economic models (IMF reports).
• Procedural Issues
◦ Lack of transparency and accountability in organizations like WHO, criticized for opaque COVID-19 origin probe.
• Backlash Against Globalization
◦ Events like Brexit, trade wars, and WTO’s dispute mechanism crisis reveal rising nationalism (WTO).
📍 Need for Reformed Multilateralism
✅ Adaptation to evolving geopolitics is essential for effective collaboration.
✅ Current crises—climate change, food security, economic disparities—are multifaceted.
📍 Conclusion
✅ NORMS aims to create a more representative, effective multilateral system.
✅ Adoption can better address emerging global challenges.
>>Click here to continue<<