New Delhi: Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has warned that the world could face a serious food crisis in the coming months as disruptions to grain supplies, fertilizer shortages and a strong El Niño weather pattern threaten global food production.
Speaking about emerging global challenges, Jaishankar said some major grain-exporting nations could encounter difficulties in transporting their supplies, particularly through the Black Sea region. Such disruptions, he cautioned, could put additional pressure on global food availability.
He also raised concerns over fertilizer supplies, saying production in key supplier countries, including Russia and nations in the Middle East, has been affected.
According to Jaishankar, these supply-side pressures could intensify if a strong El Niño develops, potentially disrupting agricultural production in several parts of the world.
The minister warned that simultaneous strains on energy, food, fertilizers and financial markets could create a difficult economic environment for countries globally.
Turning to financial markets, Jaishankar said geopolitical conflicts often trigger capital flight towards markets considered safer, while funds move away from economies seen as more vulnerable. This could further increase financial pressure on affected countries.
Jaishankar also stressed that policymakers in major economies need to consider the international consequences of their decisions, even when adverse effects on other countries are unintended.
He said governments should look beyond domestic priorities and assess how their policies could affect other economies, particularly at a time of heightened geopolitical and economic uncertainty.
