NEW DELHI: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar cited Global South concerns over energy, food and fuel security amid disruption to supply chains at a G7 foreign ministers’ meeting in France that focused on conflict in West Asia and global governance reforms.
India, Brazil, Saudi Arabia, South Korea and Ukraine were the partner countries invited by France, the current G7 president, to attend the meeting in Abbaie des Vues de Sernay. The situation in West Asia also emerged in the bilateral meetings held by Jaishankar with his counterparts from France, the United States, Japan, Ukraine and other countries on the sidelines of the G7 meeting.
Jaishankar said on social media that he specifically raised “global South concerns about energy, fertilizer supply and food security challenges” while addressing a session at the G7 meeting on global governance reforms. He also highlighted the urgent need for UN Security Council reforms, streamlining UN peacekeeping operations, and strengthening humanitarian supply chains.
In another session, Jaishankar spoke about the importance of more resilient trade corridors and supply chains against the backdrop of “uncertainty arising from conflicts in West Asia.” In this context, he emphasized the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) and said that the free trade agreements concluded by India with the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), the United Kingdom and the European Union (EU) have enhanced the usefulness of the corridor.
“I appreciate the widespread support and enthusiasm for realizing this important connectivity initiative,” Jaishankar said on social media.
During their bilateral meeting on Thursday, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot and Jaishankar agreed to continue their close coordination in order to work jointly “towards ensuring the security of the Strait of Hormuz,” according to a statement issued by the French Foreign Ministry.
The statement said that Jaishankar’s participation in the foreign ministers’ meeting reflects the importance that France attaches to the close connection between India, which holds the presidency of BRICS, and its presidency of the G7. The two sides noted India’s contribution to the work of the G7, especially in addressing major macroeconomic imbalances.
Jaishankar said in a social media post that he had a “useful conversation” with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio but did not provide any details about their conversation. This was the first meeting between the two leaders since the military strikes launched by Israel and the United States on Iran on February 28 sparked the conflict in West Asia.
He also met with Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan, Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand, South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi, British Foreign Minister Yvette Cooper, German Foreign Minister Johan Wadevol, Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira, and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Ssiebha. The conflict in West Asia and bilateral relations emerged in most of these meetings.
Anand said the two sides discussed trade, the situation in the Middle East and key areas where India and Canada can deepen cooperation, including critical minerals, agriculture and education. Cho Hyun said that South Korea and India are committed to advancing their special strategic partnership by enhancing cooperation in the economy, defense industry, science and technology.
Sabiha said on social media that he and Jaishankar discussed developments in the Middle East and “the importance of regional stability and the secure functioning of key global supply chains.” He added that the two sides reaffirmed their mutual interest in enhancing bilateral cooperation.
