S Jaishankar Warns Of Major Food Crisis As Grain, Fertiliser Supplies Face Disruptions

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar warned that disruptions to grain supplies and fertiliser production could trigger a major food crisis soon.

Speaking in New York, Jaishankar linked the risk to energy, grain exports, fertilisers and finance. He said the Ukraine conflict and Iran-Gulf tensions affected countries far beyond those regions.

“We are already looking at major significant fertiliser shortages,” he said.

Some grain exporters may struggle to ship through the Black Sea.

“So there is gonna be a major food crisis probably, you know, in the coming months,” he said, stressing that the crisis remained a risk.

Energy markets face pressure. Jaishankar said political decisions affecting oil supplies could push prices higher when countries need stability.

Conflicts can redirect capital towards safer markets and away from the Global South.

Countries facing food, fuel, fertiliser and financial pressure may have less capacity for fresh shocks.

Jaishankar urged governments to consider wider consequences.

“Countries should not be so self-centred that you’re in your own world and take your decision,” he said.

The Minister warned against vulnerable states falling into severe distress, noting that governance breakdowns had harmed global security. He said India’s post-colonial experience links it to developing nations.

Wealthier states, Jaishankar added, benefit from preventing instability.

Jaishankar described food, fuel, fertilisers and finance as a four-part global crisis. He said SDG progress was lagging.

The UN adopted the 2030 Agenda and 17 SDGs in 2015, covering key development priorities. He made the remarks while discussing strategic autonomy amid major-power competition.

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