US Withdraws from 66 Global Bodies Under Trump: Strategic Shockwaves for Global Governance and India

New Delhi |Jan 08, 2026 | External Affairs

In a dramatic recalibration of its global engagement, the United States under President Donald Trump has announced its decision to withdraw from 66 international organisations, including 31 United Nations bodies and 35 non-UN institutions. The move marks one of the most sweeping retreats by a major power from multilateral platforms in modern history and signals a profound shift in Washington’s approach to global governance.

The Trump administration has justified the exits by claiming that many of these institutions promote agendas “contrary to the interests of the United States,” particularly in areas such as climate change, migration, labour standards, gender equality, and diversity-related initiatives.

A Blow to Climate Architecture

Most significant is the US decision to withdraw not only from the Paris Climate Agreement (effective January 27, 2026) but also from the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) itself. The UNFCCC is the foundational treaty underpinning all global climate negotiations.

For India, this raises serious concerns. As a country balancing developmental priorities with climate commitments, India has consistently advocated climate equity, common but differentiated responsibilities (CBDR), and predictable climate finance. The US exit risks weakening global climate finance flows, technology transfer mechanisms, and collective ambition.

Retreat from UN System

The 31 UN bodies being exited include:

1. Department of Economic and Social Affairs
2. UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) – Economic Commission for Africa
3. ECOSOC – Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean
4. ECOSOC – Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific
5. ECOSOC – Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia
6. International Law Commission
7. International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals
8. International Trade Centre
9. Office of the Special Adviser on Africa
10. Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children in Armed Conflict
11. Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict
12. Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence Against Children
13. Peacebuilding Commission
14. Peacebuilding Fund
15. Permanent Forum on People of African Descent
16. UN Alliance of Civilizations
17. UN Collaborative Programme on Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation in Developing Countries
18. UN Conference on Trade and Development
19. UN Democracy Fund
20. UN Energy
21. UN Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women
22. UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)
23. UN Human Settlements Programme
24. UN Institute for Training and Research
25. UN Oceans
26. UN Population Fund
27. UN Register of Conventional Arms
28. UN System Chief Executives Board for Coordination
29. UN System Staff College
30. UN Water
31. UN University.

For India, which is deeply invested in UN reform, South-South cooperation, peacekeeping, development financing and multilateral diplomacy, this withdrawal weakens the institutional ecosystem that amplifies the voice of the Global South.

Exit from Key Non-UN Platforms

The 35 non-UN exits include influential bodies such as:

1. 24/7 Carbon-Free Energy Compact
2. Colombo Plan Council
3. Commission for Environmental Cooperation
4. Education Cannot Wait
5. European Centre of Excellence for Countering Hybrid Threats
6. Forum of European National Highway Research Laboratories
7. Freedom Online Coalition
8. Global Community Engagement and Resilience Fund
9. Global Counterterrorism Forum
10. Global Forum on Cyber Expertise
11. Global Forum on Migration and Development
12. Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research
13. Intergovernmental Forum on Mining, Minerals, Metals, and Sustainable Development
14. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
15. Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services
16. International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property
17. International Cotton Advisory Committee
18. International Development Law Organization
19. International Energy Forum
20. International Federation of Arts Councils and Culture Agencies
21. International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance
22. International Institute for Justice and the Rule of Law
23. International Lead and Zinc Study Group
24. International Renewable Energy Agency
25. International Solar Alliance
26. International Tropical Timber Organization
27. International Union for Conservation of Nature
28. Pan American Institute of Geography and History
29. Partnership for Atlantic Cooperation
30. Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia
31. Regional Cooperation Council
32. Renewable Energy Policy Network for the 21st Century
33. Science and Technology Center in Ukraine
34. Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme
35. Venice Commission of the Council of Europe.

For India, the US exit from the International Solar Alliance is particularly symbolic, as ISA is a flagship Indian-led initiative for climate diplomacy and renewable cooperation.

Geopolitical Implications for India

From an Indian strategic perspective, this US retreat has four major implications:

1. Space for India’s Leadership: With the US stepping back, India gains greater room to shape agendas in climate, development, digital public infrastructure, and South-South cooperation.
2. Strain on Multilateralism: India has consistently supported a rules-based, multipolar order. A weakened multilateral system risks making global governance more power-centric and less consensus-driven.
3. Climate Negotiation Dynamics: The absence of the world’s second-largest emitter from climate frameworks could complicate global mitigation efforts, placing more pressure on emerging economies like India.
4. Opportunity in Global South Diplomacy: India’s role as a bridge between developed and developing worlds becomes even more critical as institutional trust erodes.

India’s Likely Approach

New Delhi is unlikely to follow Washington’s path of withdrawal. Instead, India is expected to:

• Double down on multilateral engagement
• Strengthen platforms like G20, BRICS, ISA, SCO
• Champion reformed multilateralism
• Position itself as a responsible stakeholder and stabiliser in global governance

The US decision to exit 66 global organisations is not just an administrative move—it is a structural shock to the international system. For India, it presents both challenges and opportunities: challenges in sustaining global cooperation, and opportunities to assert leadership in shaping a more inclusive, equitable world order.