External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has called for stronger global cooperation and resilient supply chains to address the interconnected challenges of fuel, food, fertiliser and finance — what he termed the “4F crisis.” Speaking at the inaugural Partners for Multilateralism, International Law, Peace and Prosperity (P4M) Summit on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly High-Level Week in New York, he warned that these issues “cannot be left to itself.”
India co-sponsored the first-ever P4M Summit, held amid growing geopolitical tensions and conflicts that are placing the global order under significant stress. Other initial co-sponsors included Australia, Barbados, Brazil, Canada, the European Union and Kenya.
Global Order Under Stress
Jaishankar noted that while the world has witnessed a steady rebalancing of power over recent decades — a long-expected structural shift — extreme competition, geopolitical tensions and actual conflicts have given this process a different and more challenging character.
If left unchecked, it would call into question the very spirit of international cooperation, and that is why it is so essential that multilateralism asserts itself strongly at this juncture,” he said.
He stressed that the stakes go far beyond diplomatic language. Real issues at risk include the future of peace and international security, climate action and climate justice, emerging technologies and development finance, counter-terrorism, strengthening supply chains, disaster resilience and pandemic preparedness. All of these, he emphasised, depend on a genuine will to cooperate.
The 4F Crisis and the Need for Guardrails
At the heart of his remarks was the 4F crisis — fuel, food, fertiliser and finance. Jaishankar argued that these interconnected challenges require urgent collective attention rather than being left to market forces or unilateral actions alone.
“When new capabilities and concerns arise, there is a very powerful case for frameworks and guardrails. Where there is a threat of chokepoint dominance and disruption, de-risking and diversifying must be encouraged,” he stated.
He also underlined that even while broader peace efforts continue, specific dimensions of ongoing conflicts can and should be addressed. Like-minded countries, he added, must have the confidence to come together when there is a compelling cause.
Push for Reformed Multilateralism
Jaishankar linked the response to the 4F challenges with the broader need to strengthen both the advocacy and practice of multilateralism. This includes greater participation in decision-making, more transparency, and strict observance of international law, rules and norms.
The remarks come against the backdrop of supply-chain vulnerabilities, energy security concerns (including those linked to regional conflicts), fertiliser availability issues affecting food production, and pressures on development finance — challenges that disproportionately affect the Global South and energy-importing nations like India.
In a related engagement during the same UN week, Jaishankar also chaired a high-level meeting of like-minded Global South countries, reiterating the need for joint action against chokepoints in supply chains, finance and connectivity, and for protecting energy and food security.