External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has warned that the world could face a "major food crisis" in the coming months, citing disruptions to grain shipments, fertiliser shortages and the possibility of a Super El Niño. He said the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Iran-Gulf region have had a "devastating impact" on economies across the Global South.
Speaking at an event hosted by the Asia Society in New York, Jaishankar said India was particularly concerned about the global energy situation, with the market remaining "very tight". He warned that political decisions surrounding oil supplies were adding to the pressure and could push prices higher at a time when efforts should be focused on stabilising them.
"So part of it is actually the security of oil supplies, and part of it is the politics of oil supplies, and they are feeding into each other, and they are creating a double crisis or an aggravated crisis," Jaishankar said.
The minister also flagged growing concerns over global food security. He said some major grain exporters could be unable to ship their produce, particularly through the Black Sea, potentially putting additional pressure on global food supplies.
Jaishankar further warned of significant fertiliser shortages, pointing out that key producers are located in West Asia and Russia, where production has been affected by ongoing conflicts. Any prolonged disruption could put further pressure on agricultural production and food prices.
Adding another layer of uncertainty, Jaishankar pointed to the prospect of a "Super El Niño", which could affect weather patterns and agricultural output in different parts of the world. He said the combination of energy, food and fertiliser pressures could create a particularly difficult situation for developing economies.
The warning comes as Global South economies face simultaneous pressures from energy markets, food supplies, fertiliser availability and financial flows. Jaishankar described the overall situation as "very very stressful", highlighting how geopolitical conflicts can create cascading effects far beyond the regions where they are taking place.
