Jaishankar Calls for Global Cooperation to Resolve Global South’s ‘4F Crisis’

New Delhi : External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Sunday urged the Global North to recognise its equal stake in resolving the Global South’s “4F crisis” of finance, fuel, food and fertilisers, calling for urgent measures to reduce risks in the international economy.

Speaking at the Chinmaya Amrit Mahotsav Global Sammelan at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi on United Nations Day, Jaishankar said trade restrictions and supply-chain bottlenecks were worsening global challenges and called for diversified economic options and meaningful dialogue.

He also cautioned against concentrating artificial intelligence (AI) development in the hands of a few, advocating a responsible, inclusive and human-centric approach to AI governance.

Highlighting the impact of ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and West Asia, Jaishankar warned that disruptions to energy supplies, grain shipments and fertiliser production could intensify food insecurity, particularly in developing countries. He stressed that dialogue and diplomacy remained essential to resolving conflicts.

The minister also called for reforms in the United Nations, arguing that global institutions must give wider representation to countries in decision-making and demonstrate leadership in addressing international crises.

Jaishankar said global challenges required collective action and renewed commitment to cooperation, noting that their consequences extended far beyond the countries directly involved.