India tells UN that distant wars are imposing heavy costs on countries far from the battlefield

Speaking at the UN General Assembly's 81st session, India's External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar said persistent violent conflicts are weakening international peace and security and slowing global development. He emphasized that the harmful effects extend well beyond combat zones — countries with no responsibility for these wars are paying economic and human costs.

Conflict flashpoints and diplomatic priorities

Jaishankar singled out tensions in the Gulf region and attacks on commercial vessels and maritime crews in international waterways as "unacceptable." For West Asia and the broader Middle East, he said a two-State solution remains necessary for enduring peace, and he urged restraint, de-escalation, civilian protection and uninterrupted energy and commerce flows.

Weaponization of economic and technological levers

The minister warned that modern forms of pressure are increasingly used as tools of statecraft. Finance, market access, supply chains and technology are being leveraged under a mindset of "hyper-competition," he said, with a resulting weakening of institutions and a global trend toward de‑risking and diversification.

Jaishankar connected these dynamics to tangible crises: disruptions have contributed to problems in food, fuel, fertilizer supplies and financing availability. He said these conditions are particularly damaging to the Global South, which faces more constrained options for coping with price shocks and supply interruptions.

Describing terrorism as a persistent threat to peace, Jaishankar highlighted the particular danger of State‑sponsored cross-border terrorism and called for governments involved to be held accountable. He reiterated a position of zero tolerance toward terrorism and criticized attempts to misrepresent or normalize such acts, insisting perpetrators must change course.

India's development narrative and international posture

Jaishankar described India's economic and governance model as part of its contribution to global development. He pointed to digital public infrastructure as a vehicle for delivering socioeconomic benefits domestically and noted India's support for 600 development projects across 78 countries in areas such as clean energy, infrastructure, sustainable agriculture and information technology.

He concluded by citing the inscription on Mahatma Gandhi's statue at the UN: "There is no path to peace. Peace is the path," framing India's approach as a call for dialogue, de‑escalation and practical measures to protect civilians and global commerce.