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UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 21st March 2025

Home / UPSC / Current Affairs / Multilateralism and international law under seige

Multilateralism and international law under seige

Why in News:

The U.S. shift towards isolationism under the “America First” policy threatens multilateral institutions like the UN, ICC, and WTO, impacting global governance while creating opportunities for India to assert leadership in international affairs.

Multilateralism and international law under seige

Introduction

  • The “America First” policy under U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration has marked a significant shift towards isolationism, challenging multilateral institutions and international law.
  • Recent actions, including calls to withdraw from the United Nations (UN), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the Paris Climate Agreement, signal a retreat from global cooperation.
  • The Disengaging Entirely from the United Nations Debacle (DEFUND) Act, introduced in the U.S. Senate, further reinforces this trend. These measures threaten the rules-based international order and pose challenges to global governance.

DEFUND Act and the UN Withdrawal Threat

  • The DEFUND Act proposes to:
    • Repeal the United Nations Participation Act of 1945 and the United Nations Headquarters Agreement of 1947.
    • Halt U.S. financial contributions to the UN.
    • Restrict U.S. involvement in UN peacekeeping operations.
    • Revoke immunity of UN officials in the U.S.
  • Impact:
    • Weakens the legitimacy of the UN, the primary forum for global diplomacy and conflict resolution.
    • Hampers the UN’s ability to protect human rights, maintain peace, and address climate change.
    • Reduces the U.S.’s influence in shaping international policies.

U.S. Sanctions on the International Criminal Court (ICC)

  • On February 6, 2025, the U.S. imposed sanctions on the ICC in response to its investigations into alleged war crimes involving U.S. and Israeli forces.
  • The U.S. never ratified the Rome Statute, which established the ICC, yet now actively undermines its legitimacy.
  • Contradiction: The U.S. played a key role in establishing the Nuremberg Trials post-WWII, emphasizing justice for war crimes.
  • Impact:
    • Weakens accountability for war crimes and crimes against humanity.
    • Signals a disregard for international human rights law.
    • Risks retaliation from other countries supporting the ICC’s role.

U.S. Trade Protectionism and WTO Crisis

  • The U.S. has imposed aggressive tariffs under the guise of national security, echoing the protectionist Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act of 1930, which worsened the Great Depression.
  • The U.S. blockade on WTO’s Appellate Body appointments has created a crisis in dispute resolution, threatening the existence of the multilateral trade system.
  • Impact:
    • Destabilizes global trade governance.
    • Encourages economic fragmentation.
    • Pushes countries to seek regional trade agreements, bypassing the WTO.

Implications of U.S. Isolationism

Erosion of the Rules-Based International Order

  • Institutions like the UN, ICC, WHO, and WTO rely on cooperation and shared sovereignty.
  • U.S. disengagement weakens global frameworks for human rights, public health, and climate action.

Risk of Global Retaliation

  • Other nations may adopt countermeasures against U.S. policies.
  • Multilateral cooperation may shift towards regional alliances, reducing U.S. influence.

Strategic Opportunities for India

  • India, a strong advocate of multilateralism, can fill the leadership vacuum left by the U.S.
  • India’s Role in the G-20 (2025):
    • At the G-20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Johannesburg, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar emphasized international law, peaceful resolution of disputes, and an inclusive global approach.
  • India’s UNSC Reform Demand:
    • The U.S. withdrawal from multilateral institutions presents an opportunity for India to push for permanent membership in the UN Security Council (UNSC).

Conclusion

  • The U.S. retreat from multilateralism threatens global governance, economic stability, and international law.
  • While this shift poses challenges, it also creates strategic opportunities for emerging powers like India to play a greater role in shaping global institutions.
  • As nations resist unilateralism, India can position itself as a bridge between the Global North and South, reinforcing its commitment to a multipolar world order.

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