External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Thursday, 25 June 2026, called for a fundamental reinvention of international cooperation, invoking India's ancient philosophy of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' — the world is a family — while addressing the Jeju Forum for Peace and Prosperity 2026 in Seoul, South Korea. Speaking at one of Asia's premier multilateral dialogue platforms, Jaishankar argued that global challenges have made cooperation not merely desirable but unavoidable.

The Case for Cooperation

'Paradoxically, the challenges we confront have only further strengthened the centripetal side. Whether it is pandemics like Covid, acts of terrorism, or the impact of extreme climate events, these cannot be contained within political jurisdictions. International cooperation is a must,' Jaishankar said. He acknowledged that national instincts remain dominant in decision-making, making deliberate openness toward the world all the more necessary. 'Much of the current turbulence we see is about societies that challenge that belief,' he added, referring to the principle of global kinship.

Five Steps to Reinvent Global Order

Jaishankar outlined a five-point framework for rebuilding cooperation in an increasingly fragmented world. First, he called for de-risking the international economy by diversifying production and supply chains, stressing that resilience and redundancy are essential to limit economic coercion. Second, he advocated forging new partnerships among influential nations through agenda-specific cooperation to stabilise the global order.

Third, he emphasised the need to raise awareness of the costs of narrow thinking and confrontation, while collectively upholding international law — citing the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) as a model framework. Fourth, he stressed the importance of empowering the Global South by expanding its capacity and opportunities, arguing this would also generate new drivers of global growth. Fifth, he called for the provision of global goods through shared endeavours, warning that the world cannot rely on a handful of powers to uphold rules and norms.

On Multipolarity and Multilateralism

'As the interests of a few are openly prioritised, the costs to the many are less considered. This can only be countered by cooperation on more issues with greater players. At the end of the day, we will see whether multipolarity really delivers,' Jaishankar said. He concluded with a pointed call for reformed multilateralism, stating: 'The world must take more control over its own future.'

India-South Korea Partnership

Jaishankar noted that the five-point framework makes a compelling case for deeper India-South Korea bilateral ties. He pointed to complementarities in shipbuilding, digital technology, health, infrastructure, and defence as areas ripe for expanded cooperation. He said these themes were central to his bilateral meetings in Seoul on 24 June, the day before his Jeju Forum address. The remarks signal a continued push to elevate the Special Strategic Partnership between the two nations beyond trade into strategic and technological domains.