NEW YORK — Minister of External Affairs S. Jaishankar addressed the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly, issuing a strong condemnation of recent armed strikes on commercial vessels and demanding international safeguards for global seafarers and maritime supply corridors.
Underlining the economic exposure of developing nations, Jaishankar warned that the compounding “4F crisis”—spanning Food, Fuel, Fertilizer, and Finance—is being worsened by extreme geopolitical competition, supply chain weaponization, and market denial.
Core Address Highlights & Foreign Policy Directives
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Maritime Security Campaign:
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Diplomatic Coalition: Established the Group of Friends on Safety & Security of Shipping & Seafarers in coordination with Liberia and 23 partner nations.
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Casus Belli: Cited recent casualties and missing personnel aboard the MV Cape Dao (Gulf of Oman) and El Gaia (Strait of Hormuz), demanding strict enforcement of international maritime law to protect commercial shipping routes.
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Critique of Weaponized Global Trade:
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Denounced zero-sum policies that leverage financial systems, technology access, and trade chokepoints, forcing non-aligned nations to shoulder forced de-risking burdens.
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Cautioned against the unregulated proliferation and misuse of Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a tool that heightens systemic economic and societal vulnerabilities.
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Positions on Active Global Conflicts:
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Ukraine War: Reiterated India’s diplomatic position calling for an immediate end to hostilities, while committing to mitigating global energy and food security shocks.
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West Asia & Palestine: Reaffirmed support for a long-term two-state solution to resolve regional instability while maintaining humanitarian assistance for Palestinian civilians.
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