India-EU FTA Key to Multipolarity: UN Chief Guterres Expresses Strong Positive Expectations

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Thursday said he sees “a lot of positive expectations” from the recently announced free trade agreement between India and the European Union, describing it as a step that could strengthen global multipolarity through deeper economic cooperation.

India and the EU unveiled the landmark trade deal earlier this week, with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen calling it the “mother of all trade deals,” underlining its scale and strategic significance.

Speaking at his annual news conference outlining priorities for the year, Guterres stressed that global challenges cannot be addressed through dominance by one or two major powers. “Global problems will not be solved by one power calling the shots. Nor will they be solved by two powers carving the world into rival spheres of influence,” he said, in a reference to the United States and China.

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For a stable world marked by lasting peace and equitable development, Guterres argued that the international community must actively promote multipolarity. He called for a model that is “networked, inclusive by design, and capable of creating balance through partnerships,” particularly in trade, technology, and international cooperation.

Highlighting recent trade agreements involving the EU, he cited deals with Mercosur, Indonesia, and India as examples of how such partnerships can help build a more balanced global order. According to Guterres, expanding networks of cooperation among a wider group of countries and institutions can pave the way for a “true multipolar world” where the principles of the UN Charter prevail.

He added that agreements like the India-EU trade pact not only deepen economic ties but also contribute to a broader system of international relations based on shared growth, cooperation, and mutual respect.

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