Naidu raises voice for multilateral world order

Pitching for a multilateral world order, Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu has raised concerns over building "new walls" of protectionism during his recent visit to Paris to attend the centenary of armistice of World War I.

Naidu, who represented India at the ceremony where US president Donald Trump, Russian president Vladimir Putin and German Chancellor Angela Merkel among others attended, told the international community that there is a need to collectively address the challenges confronting humanity.

Naidu also highlighted the need for reforms in the global institutional structures and systems, including in the United Nations Security Council, where India is seeking a permanent seat.

During his visit, Naidu highlighted that the present day's "inescapable reality" is that we are living in an "increasingly interdependent" world, where geographical boundaries have become "less and less relevant" and the destinies of citizens across the world increasingly getting interlinked.

"As a result, multi-lateralism has emerged as the most effective modality for decision-making and conflict resolution. However, in a matter of deep concern there are certain efforts to build new walls of separation in the form of protectionism. Multi-lateralism that has emerged as a mutually beneficial new order is facing certain challenges," he said.

Speaking to reporters in New Delhi about his visit, he said that the Paris meet provided an opportunity for about 70 global leaders to look at the challenges to the multilateralism and work unitedly to prevent any disaster hitting the mankind in the form of growing protectionism.

"I have asserted the need to guide the world on the path of collective endeavour for collective benefit. There is a certain need for the world to ensure effective multilateralism that brings all the nations on a common platform to explore common solutions for challenges faced by humanity," he said.

In France, Naidu on Saturday inaugurated the first India-built war memorial in northern France to pay tribute to thousands of Indian soldiers who died fighting in the World War I.