New Delhi/ New York:United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Thursday cited the free trade agreement between India and the European Union as a key example of the kind of partnerships needed to strengthen a multipolar global order, stressing that world problems cannot be resolved by a single dominant power or by rival blocs.
Speaking at a press conference while outlining his priorities for 2026, Guterres acknowledged that the United States remains the world’s most powerful country, while China is widely seen as the other major pole shaping the future. However, he cautioned against viewing global politics through the lens of one or two powers controlling outcomes.
Guterres said a stable and peaceful world requires multipolarity, supported by a dense network of relationships among countries. He underlined that peace, development and shared global values can only be sustained if cooperation is broadened beyond traditional power centres.
Highlighting recent trade agreements, the UN chief pointed to the European Union’s deals with Mercosur, Indonesia and India, as well as trade engagements involving Canada, the UK and China. He said such agreements reflect an expanding web of trade, technology and international cooperation that can strengthen multilateral institutions and uphold the values enshrined in the UN Charter.
According to Guterres, this interconnected multipolar approach creates conditions for balance through partnerships rather than dominance. He argued that global challenges demand inclusive and networked cooperation, not unilateral decision-making or division of the world into rival spheres of influence.
His remarks come days after India and the European Union concluded a landmark free trade agreement, described by both sides as a transformative deal creating a combined market of nearly two billion people. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa unveiled a five-year agenda focused on trade, defence and protection of the rules-based international order.
Alongside the trade pact, India and the EU also signed agreements on security and defence cooperation and on facilitating the mobility of Indian professionals to Europe. The agreements were finalised during summit-level talks hosted by Prime Minister Modi, at a time when transatlantic relations have shown signs of strain.
Guterres also emphasised the need for global institutions to adapt to changing realities, noting that the share of global economic activity held by traditional developed economies is declining, while emerging economies are gaining influence and confidence. He said international structures must reflect this shift to remain relevant and effective.
Reiterating his message, the UN chief said global problems will not be solved by one power calling the shots, nor by two powers dividing the world into competing zones of influence. Instead, he called for a deliberate acceleration of multipolarity built on cooperation in trade, technology and international engagement.
