Jaishankar Urges G20 To Address Energy Shortages Affecting Global South

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has called on the G20 to recognise the energy shortages affecting the Global South, warning that the politicisation of energy flows and distortions in global energy markets were causing significant harm to developing nations.

Speaking to Indian reporters in Atlanta on Saturday, following the G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, Jaishankar described the gathering as ‘very productive, very open, very animated’.

The Minister said discussions covered three major areas: the geopolitical situation, energy and food security, and global supply chains.

On energy security, Jaishankar said India had highlighted how the politicisation of energy flows was affecting global markets, with countries in the Global South bearing the greatest burden of shortages. He stressed that the G20 needed to acknowledge the issue and work towards addressing it.

The Minister highlighted concerns over food security, particularly disruptions to grain shipments and the wider impact of fertiliser shortages. He further said disruptions in the Black Sea, Gulf and Red Sea regions had affected supplies, prompting discussions among G20 members on possible solutions.

Addressing geopolitical tensions, Jaishankar said India had emphasised that major international conflicts could not be resolved through military means alone. He called for diplomatic engagement, dialogue and peaceful solutions, stressing the need to find diplomatic pathways to end conflicts.

Jaishankar called for diversified manufacturing and supply chains to reduce dependence on a single region, citing the pandemic, geopolitical conflicts and climate events as major disruptions. He further said India had held bilateral talks with almost all participating nations and highlighted its role in bridging divisions and engaging with all sides in an increasingly polarised world.

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