Jaishankar Champions Global South Concerns at G7 Meet; Calls for UNSC Reforms

Paris : External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar represented India’s strategic interests at the G7 Foreign Ministers' outreach session held at Abbaye des Vaux-de-Cernay near Paris on March 26-27, 2026. Addressing the summit at the invitation of French FM Jean-Noël Barrot, Jaishankar delivered a poignant reminder of the economic vulnerabilities faced by the Global South amidst shifting geopolitical landscapes.

During the session on "Reforming Global Governance," Dr. Jaishankar emphasized the urgent need to restructure the UN Security Council (UNSC) to reflect contemporary realities. He advocated for streamlining peacekeeping operations and fortifying humanitarian supply chains, which have been severely strained by ongoing global conflicts.

A central theme of Jaishankar’s address was the trio of challenges—energy, fertilizers, and food security—plaguing developing nations. He highlighted how West Asian instabilities and global supply chain disruptions disproportionately impact economically weaker countries.

"The urgency of reforming the UNSC and addressing the Global South's energy and food security concerns cannot be overstated in these uncertain times," Jaishankar noted in a post on 'X'.

In a dedicated session on the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), the Minister shared India’s vision for robust trade routes. He pointed out that:

Strategic Necessity: Regional conflicts make resilient supply chains more critical than ever.

Economic Synergy: India’s Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with the EU, EFTA members, and the UK have significantly enhanced the practical utility of the IMEC.

On the sidelines, Dr. Jaishankar engaged in several key diplomatic meetings:

Canada: Met with FM Anita Anand to review progress on partnerships initiated during PM Carney’s earlier visit to India.

France: Discussed maritime security and tensions in the Strait of Hormuz with the French Foreign Minister.

Global Outreach: Held talks with counterparts from Germany (Johann Wadephul) and Ukraine (Andrii Sybiha) to discuss regional stability and bilateral cooperation.