India Warns UN Distant Wars Trigger Food, Fuel Shock

India and other developing nations warned the UN on Monday that distant wars are raising food and fuel prices and disrupting trade, penalizing import-dependent economies across the Global South.

Global South food and fuel squeeze

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar told the General Assembly that "Those most impacted often have the least say," and said interruptions to food, fuel, fertiliser, finance and commerce were penalizing countries far from fighting. He said the failure to maintain peace was weakening security, threatening development and slowing progress for vulnerable states.

Delegates from the Caribbean, the Indian Ocean and Africa echoed that position. President Luis Abinader of the Dominican Republic linked higher domestic food and energy costs to conflicts in Europe and the Middle East, while Comoros President Azali Assoumani said paralysis in the Strait of Hormuz had produced a global shock that threatened import-dependent islands.

Maldives Vice President Hussain Mohamed Latheef warned that disruptions to sea lanes, supply chains and insurance markets were transmitting price shocks into tourism revenue and public finances. Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs said events in Ukraine, the Middle East and Sudan were not contained regionally and were moving through global transport and insurance networks.

Delegates urged restraint, protection of merchant shipping and measures to keep energy and commerce flowing. They said they would press for diplomatic steps and practical mitigation during the General Assembly this week, with a focus on preventing further spikes in commodity costs by Sept. 30, 2026.