Jaishankar Warns of '4F Crisis': Demands Global North Action
EAM S. Jaishankar warns that Global South faces a 4F crisis of finance, fuel, food, and fertiliser, calling for urgent UN reforms.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has sounded a clarion call to the developed nations of the Global North, asserting that they hold an equal stake in resolving the systemic hardships currently strangling the Global South. Speaking at the Chinmaya Amrit Mahotsav Global Sammelan on 'Non-Dualism for World Understanding' at Bharat Mandapam on October 25, 2026, the Minister highlighted a critical Global North 4F crisis that threatens international stability.
The '4F Crisis' Explained
Minister Jaishankar detailed a multifaceted struggle facing developing nations, which he termed the '4F crisis.' This crisis encompasses four critical pillars of survival and economic growth:
- Finance: The struggle for sustainable funding and economic stability.
- Fuel: Energy insecurity and volatile pricing.
- Food: Disruptions in food security and supply chains.
- Fertiliser: Shortages affecting agricultural productivity.
The Minister emphasized that the international economy is in desperate need of de-risking. He argued that the world requires a broader range of diversified options to prevent systemic collapses, warning that current market distortions—caused by various restrictions and "choke points"—are actively increasing human suffering across the globe. He called for a genuine and honest dialogue to dismantle these constraints.
War, Peace, and the Cost of Conflict
Addressing the current geopolitical climate on UN Day, Jaishankar reminded the audience that "war anywhere threatens peace everywhere." He pointed specifically to the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and West Asia, illustrating how regional battles do not remain isolated but instead impose heavy economic and social costs on societies thousands of miles away.
He asserted that global prosperity is an illusion if it is unevenly distributed, stating bluntly that the world cannot truly prosper if it remains "half prosperous and half denied."
A Call for UN Reform and Multilateralism
The External Affairs Minister took a strong stance on the current state of international governance, demanding structural reforms within the United Nations. He argued that the UN must not be allowed to remain a mere spectator to global crises.
According to Jaishankar, "reformed multilateralism" is the only way to ensure that the Global South is no longer excluded from the critical decision-making processes that shape their own futures.
Terrorism and the Future of AI
Turning to security, the Minister issued a stern condemnation of terrorism, particularly when used as an instrument of statecraft. Labeling the practice as "simply unacceptable," he rejected any attempt to rationalize terrorism and called for a global zero-tolerance policy, noting that the threat persists because some states lack the resolve to eliminate it.
Inclusive AI Governance
Looking toward the future of technology, Jaishankar advocated for a human-centric and inclusive approach to the governance of Artificial Intelligence. He warned against the concentration of AI development and control in the hands of a few powerful entities, arguing that such a monopoly would contradict the global movements toward freedom and democratization.