NEW YORK — Speaking at the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly, India’s Minister of External Affairs S. Jaishankar delivered a firm rebuke of ongoing armed strikes against commercial shipping and merchant crews across vital international waterways.
Emphasizing that global stability is being undermined by a “mindset of extreme competition,” Jaishankar outlined how the weaponization of finance, technology, and trade routes is disproportionately impacting non-aligned nations and worsening structural inequality across the Global South.
Strategic Takeaways & Multilateral Directives
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Global Maritime Security Coalition:
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Launched the Group of Friends on Safety & Security of Shipping & Seafarers alongside Liberia and 23 partner states.
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Condemned recent fatal attacks on commercial vessels—including the MV Cape Dao and El Gaia—demanding unhindered passage for international energy and commercial transport under international law.
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Systemic Economic Risks & The ‘4F’ Vulnerability:
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Highlighted the severe compounding pressure of the 4F crisis (Food, Fuel, Fertilizer, and Finance) on developing nations.
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Warned against non-market trade distortions, artificial supply chokepoints, and the unethical deployment of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to deepen geopolitical divides.
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Resolution Frameworks for Regional Conflicts:
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Eastern Europe: Reaffirmed that “endless war must give way to an end to war,” offering Indian support to stabilize disrupted food and fuel markets.
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West Asia: Expressed grave concern over regional escalation, advocating for an enduring two-state solution while sustaining humanitarian aid delivery.
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