What is the common examiner trap about Intl. Relations in UPSC exams?

They may confuse G4 with G7 or BRICS, or misinterpret Jaishankar's call: he stressed 'not to accept or legitimise chokepoints' — students might mistakenly think he endorsed them.

What should UPSC aspirants remember about Intl. Relations for Prelims?

1. Target this Data: 81st United Nations General Assembly 2. Target this Nodal Body: Ministry of External Affairs (India) 3. Target this Legal Point: UN Charter Article 23 (UNSC composition) - linked to reform debate

International RelationsPolity

Take AI Challenge ▸

News 0 of 25

Jaishankar at 81st UNGA: Global South Front Row in Crises but Back Row in Decision-Making

Q: Which ministry/department is primarily responsible for India's foreign policy and United Nations engagements?

Ministry of External Affairs, The article mentions External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar leading the Indian delegation and the Ministry of External Affairs issuing a statement. The MEA is the nodal ministry for all foreign relations and UN engagements.

Q: Consider the following statements: 1. Jaishankar chaired the High-Level Meeting of Like-Minded Global South Countries and Friends under the theme 'Navigating Together Towards a Brighter Future – the Compelling Case for an Empowered Global South'. 2. The G4 nations met to discuss reforming the World Bank. 3. Jaishankar stressed that Global South countries should accept chokepoints in supply chains for stability. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Only 1, Statement 1 is correct as the article states Jaishankar chaired the meeting under that theme. Statement 2 is incorrect - the G4 discussed 'reformed multilateralism and a more representative UN Security Council', not the World Bank. Statement 3 is incorrect - Jaishankar said 'must not accept or legitimise chokepoints'.

Q: In which year was the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) mooted by New Delhi?

2023, The article explicitly states that IMEC was 'mooted by New Delhi in 2023'. This corridor was announced during India's G20 presidency.

Q: What is the primary objective of the G4 nations' push for UN reforms as discussed in the article?

To make the UN Security Council more representative of contemporary global realities, The article states that the G4 foreign ministers 'discussed the imperative of reformed multilateralism and a more representative, responsive, and effective UN Security Council that reflects today's global realities'. Option B captures this objective accurately.

Intl. Relations PolityHIGH

Target:UPSC GS-IIMPSCSSC GATeachingPrelims HighMains MediumStatic GK Link

23 Sept 2026

~2 min

Source: Indian Express

Key Data:81st UN General AssemblyG4: India, Brazil, Germany, Japan€20 billion trade target India-Italy by 2029IMEC mooted in 2023

Bodies:Ministry of External Affairs (India)United Nations General AssemblyG4India-UAE-France Trilateral

Practice MCQs from today's news ▸

~2 min · Quick mode

What This Article Covers

1.Jaishankar addressed the High-Level Meeting of Like-Minded Global South Countries on sidelines of 81st UNGA.

2.He emphasized that Global South is in front row of crises but back row of decision-making.

3.He called for comprehensive UN reforms, particularly UN Security Council expansion.

The Big Picture

Prelims · HighMains · Medium

EAM Jaishankar highlighted that the Global South faces the brunt of global crises but is excluded from decision-making structures. He called for reformed multilateralism, especially UNSC expansion, at the High-Level Meeting on the sidelines of the 81st UNGA.

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

UNGA Session81st

G4 NationsIndia, Brazil, Germany, Japan

Trilateral MeetingIndia-UAE-France (AI, Space, Energy, Culture)

Trade Target (India-Italy)€20 billion by 2029

IMEC Mooted2023

1-Minute Revision

›UNGA Session: 81st
›G4 Nations: India, Brazil, Germany, Japan
›Target this Data: 81st United Nations General Assembly
›Target this Nodal Body: Ministry of External Affairs (India)
›Target this Legal Point: UN Charter Article 23 (UNSC composition) - linked to reform debate

Mastered this topic? Test your knowledge with a full MCQ quiz.

Practice exam-style questions, track your score, and strengthen your recall.

News Snapshot

🌍

Global South Marginalization

Jaishankar argues that developing countries suffer from crises but lack voice in global institutions.

🏛️

UN Reforms Urged

He called for a more representative UN Security Council that reflects contemporary realities.

🤝

Multilateral Diplomatic Engagements

India participated in G4 foreign ministers meeting, India-UAE-France trilateral, and bilateral meetings on sidelines.

Detailed Analysis & Strategic Depth

Context / Background

The Global South, comprising developing countries in Asia, Africa, and Latin America, has long demanded greater representation in global governance institutions like the UN Security Council, IMF, and World Bank. The 81st UNGA provides a platform for India, as a leading voice of the Global South, to reiterate these demands.

Core Analysis & Implications

Jaishankar's statement that Global South is in the 'front row of crises but back row of decision-making' underscores the structural inequity in multilateral systems. He linked this to geopolitical tensions, supply chain disruptions, and climate shocks. His rejection of chokepoints and call for energy security not to be manipulated for political ends reflects India's strategic autonomy and push for a multipolar world.

Future Outlook / Way Forward

India will continue to leverage groupings like G4, BRICS, and the Voice of the Global South Initiative to push for UNSC reform. The India-UAE-France trilateral and IMEC corridor represent concrete cooperative frameworks that bypass traditional power centers. The G4 foreign ministers agreed to meet again, signaling sustained momentum.

Key Facts at a Glance

UNGA Session81st

G4 NationsIndia, Brazil, Germany, Japan

Trilateral MeetingIndia-UAE-France (AI, Space, Energy, Culture)

Trade Target (India-Italy)€20 billion by 2029

IMEC Mooted2023

You've read the full analysis. Now test your understanding.

Practice exam-style questions based on this article.

Q1Static LinkageEasyUPSC, SSC, State PSC

Which ministry/department is primarily responsible for India's foreign policy and United Nations engagements?

Q2Statement-basedHardUPSC, SSC

Consider the following statements:

1. Jaishankar chaired the High-Level Meeting of Like-Minded Global South Countries and Friends under the theme 'Navigating Together Towards a Brighter Future – the Compelling Case for an Empowered Global South'.

2. The G4 nations met to discuss reforming the World Bank.

3. Jaishankar stressed that Global South countries should accept chokepoints in supply chains for stability.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3Data-centricMediumUPSC, Banking, SSC

In which year was the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) mooted by New Delhi?

Q4Application/ImpactMediumUPSC, SSC, State PSC

What is the primary objective of the G4 nations' push for UN reforms as discussed in the article?

All 25 MCQs ▸

Read original article from Indian Express

You finished this topic

Practice 3 MCQs from this news Next Article

Explore Related Topics

Intl. RelationsView Topic MCQs →PolityView Topic MCQs →

Next SC Reaffirms Article 22(1): Non-Negotiable Right to Grounds of Arrest, Compensation for Violation

Related Current Affairs

Intl. Relations Current Affairs

UN Chief Antonio Guterres Backs UNSC Expansion at BRICS Summit; India Leads Global South Demand

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres endorsed the Global South's demand for UN Security Council expansion at the BRICS Summit, emphasizing that institutional structures must reflect today's geopolitical realities. India, at the forefront of this push, has called for developing nations to transition from 'rule-takers' to 'rule-shapers'. The BRICS New Delhi Declaration reiterated support for India and Brazil's greater UN role, pressing for comprehensive UNSC reform to increase representation of Africa, Asia, and Latin America.

Intl. Relations Current Affairs

UN General Assembly Adopts 'Correct the Map' Resolution; India Affirms J&K and Ladakh Sovereignty

India voted in favor of a UN resolution promoting equal-area world maps but clarified that any map depicting Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh must follow India's official boundaries. The resolution, adopted on Sept 4, 2026, with 164 votes in favor, does not authenticate any specific map or address political boundaries. For UPSC aspirants, this links to India's consistent stance on territorial integrity and UN cartographic standards.

Polity Current Affairs

UPSC Key: 14 Internal EC Dissents, Tarang Shakti-26 Multinational Exercise, and AI-Driven Semiconductor Supercycle

This Indian Express 'UPSC Key' compilation covers six critical topics: unprecedented internal dissent within the Election Commission (14 objections in 10 months), the second edition of India's largest multinational air exercise Tarang Shakti-26, the Supreme Court's reaffirmation of the Bijoe Emmanuel precedent on Vande Mataram, a new Centre scheme for lithium and nickel processing, the evolution of Yemen's Houthis from a local revivalist movement to a Red Sea power, and the global semiconductor 'supercycle' driven by AI demand. Each story is mapped to UPSC syllabus with previous year questions.

Intl. Relations Current Affairs

81st UNGA Session: Record 65 Conflicts in 2025, UNSG Guterres Final Term, India Vies for UNSC Seat 2028-29

The 81st UNGA session marks UNSG Guterres' final term amid record global conflicts (65 in 2025). Bangladesh FM elected President. India launches campaign for second non-permanent UNSC term (2028-29) but PM Modi skips summit. UN reform and superpower hegemony debated.

Intl. Relations Current Affairs

India Bars Sheikh Hasina from Political Activities; Extradition Request Under Review

India has informed a Parliamentary panel that former Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina cannot conduct political activities from Indian soil. Dhaka has sent an extradition request, which India is legally examining, while also urging early renewal of the 1996 Ganga Water Treaty and normalization of visa services for Bangladeshi nationals.

Intl. Relations Current Affairs

India-Bangladesh Tensions Ease as High Commissioner Meets PM Tarique Rahman Amid Ganga Treaty Renewal Deadline

Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh met PM Tarique Rahman amid bilateral tensions triggered by exiled former PM Sheikh Hasina's virtual press conference from Delhi. The meeting is seen as a positive diplomatic signal, with the Ganga Waters Treaty (1996) set to expire in December 2026 requiring urgent renewal.

Intl. Relations Current Affairs

Trump Administration Pauses Immigrant Visa Appointments Worldwide, Targets 200,000 B1/B2 Visa Revocations

The Trump administration has temporarily paused immigrant visa appointments worldwide, affecting family-based applicants including Indians. Separately, up to 200,000 B1/B2 visitor visas may be revoked for asylum seekers. The moves reflect a broader philosophy to reduce legal immigration and may face legal challenges.

Intl. Relations Current Affairs

18th BRICS Summit Hosted by India at Bharat Mandapam: UN Chief Guterres to Attend

India, as BRICS chair for 2026, is hosting the 18th BRICS Summit on Sept 12-13 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will participate, alongside leaders of member nations including Putin, Xi Jinping, and Pezeshkian. This is India's 4th BRICS chairship and the grouping's 20th anniversary.

Start Today's Quiz(25 Qs)

Take Today's Quiz

25 Qs • 5-7 Mins

Jaishankar at 81st UNGA: Global South Front Row in Crises but Back Row in Decision-Making

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

1-Minute Revision

News Snapshot

Global South Marginalization

UN Reforms Urged

Multilateral Diplomatic Engagements

Detailed Analysis & Strategic Depth

Context / Background

Core Analysis & Implications

Future Outlook / Way Forward

Prelims Flashpoints

Key Facts at a Glance