India has called for significant reforms to the Commonwealth to better align with “contemporary realities,” emphasizing its commitment to the organization’s core values during the Commonwealth Foreign Affairs Ministers’ Meeting (CFAMM) 2025. Held on Monday on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, the meeting saw India’s representative, Ambassador Sibi George, Secretary (West) in the Ministry of External Affairs, advocate for modernizing the 56-member association to address current global challenges. The push reflects India’s broader agenda to reform multilateral institutions, a stance echoed in its efforts for UN Security Council restructuring.

Chaired by Samoa’s Deputy Prime Minister Toelupe Maoiautele Poumulinuku Onesemo, the CFAMM provided a platform for foreign ministers to strengthen collaboration and collective action. George reiterated India’s dedication to the Commonwealth Charter’s principles, stressing the need for the organization to evolve to remain relevant.

The ministers expressed strong support for the Commonwealth’s role in championing multilateralism amid global upheaval, including conflicts and economic uncertainties, according to a Commonwealth press release. The meeting reviewed progress since the 2024 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Samoa and set the course for CHOGM 2026 in Antigua and Barbuda.

Commonwealth Secretary-General Shirley Botchwey, in her first CFAMM, urged member states to leverage the group’s unique convening power. “The multilateral system is under serious pressure, but it remains our greatest tool,” she said, highlighting the need for unified solutions in a fractured world. The CFAMM discussions focused on implementing mandates from the 2024 CHOGM, emphasizing resilience and collective action across diverse issues like climate change and economic cooperation.

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India’s advocacy for reform aligns with its growing global influence, as it pushes for equitable representation in international bodies. With 56 member states spanning Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, and the Pacific, the Commonwealth represents a third of the world’s population. India’s call for modernization underscores its commitment to ensuring the organization remains a vital platform for addressing 21st-century challenges, fostering collaboration among its diverse membership.

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