Multipolar world demands deeper multilateralism: EAM Jaishankar

Warning that a rapidly multipolar world makes a compelling case for deeper multilateralism, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Sunday urged nations to strengthen cooperation in safeguarding cultural traditions, calling them the “most democratic expression of human inheritance”.

Speaking at the inaugural session of the 20th UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage here, Jaishankar said diversity, pluralism and respect for cultural identities must remain central to global engagement.

“The world is a fundamentally pluralistic landscape… what humankind has generated over the centuries will only be fully appreciated when that heritage is carefully nurtured,” he said, cautioning against attempts to dominate or erode cultural traditions.

Highlighting India’s role as a founding member of UNESCO, Jaishankar said the country had long championed global cooperation in education, science and culture. He noted that India draws strength from UNESCO’s best practices while contributing to preservation efforts around the world.

Jaishankar said intangible heritage — languages, rituals, craftsmanship, festivals, music and performing arts — represents a shared human legacy. “They are owned by all, guarded by many and enriched by each generation,” he observed.

He welcomed the recent inclusion of the Bhagavad Gita and Bharatamuni’s Natyashastra in the UNESCO Memory of the World Register, and hailed Lucknow’s designation as a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy, joining Hyderabad.

The minister stressed that decolonisation had politically and economically empowered once-suppressed voices, but the process remained incomplete without “cultural rebalancing”. The Global South, he said, deserved particular attention as many societies continue to bear the scars of historical cultural suppression.

As a civilisational state, India understands these concerns closely, Jaishankar added, pointing to domestic initiatives such as Kumbh Mela, Durga Puja, One District One Product, support for Vishwakarma artisans and the blending of tradition with technology.

The minister said India’s foreign policy placed strong emphasis on both tangible and intangible heritage. “Our heritage travels out to other nations… and conservation projects are undertaken in our extended neighbourhood,” he said, adding that cultural preservation was woven into India’s diplomatic outreach.

He praised UNESCO for championing multilateral cooperation and said its commitment to safeguarding intangible heritage played a crucial role in strengthening mutual respect among nations.

Welcoming delegates from across the world, Jaishankar said the deliberations in Delhi would reaffirm the collective responsibility to protect cultural traditions and pass them on to future generations.