On 29 September 2026, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar warned that the world could face a major food crisis in the coming months, citing the impact of the Ukraine and Iran-Gulf conflicts on Global South economies. His remarks have brought an earlier warning by Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi back into focus. Speaking at an Asia Society event, Jaishankar said the two conflicts had affected Global South economies and raised concerns about energy supplies. He also flagged disruptions to grain shipments and shortages of fertilisers. Jaishankar said major grain exporters could face difficulties in sending shipments, while fertiliser shortages were already emerging. He said these disruptions could contribute to a food crisis in the coming months. The concerns come less than four months after Rahul Gandhi, on 3 June 2026, warned that India would witness an economic crisis and said that the situation could not be stopped. Gandhi had also said that the BJP had removed economic “shock absorbers” that had previously protected India from global disruptions. India also depends on imports for around 55–60% of its domestic edible-oil consumption, according to the figure cited in the script from The Indian Express. The Food and Agriculture Organization has also recorded a rise in global food prices. Its Food Price Index averaged 133.3 points in August 2026, while its Cereal Price Index reached its highest level since May 2024. Jaishankar’s warning specifically links the Ukraine and Iran-Gulf conflicts with pressure on grain shipments and fertiliser supplies, while Gandhi’s earlier remarks focused on the wider economic impact of global disruptions.