Jaishankar Criticizes Global Energy Market Disruptions at G20 Meeting

UPDATE - follow-up to India slams global energy disruptions through sanctions, chokepoints: External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has strongly criticized global energy supply disruptions caused by sanctions and chokepoints. Speaking at the G20 Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Atlanta, he stated that deliberate attacks on energy infrastructure and trade are a calculated strategy to hold prices hostage.

Key Remarks

Mr. Jaishankar delivered his remarks on Friday, October 30, 2026, at a meeting convened by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The event took place amid American sanctions on Iranian oil sales, disruptions to West Asian supplies, and the lifting of sanctions on Russian diesel. He noted that the world faces an energy crisis driven by unpredictability, disruption, high costs, and access challenges, while low-income countries face severe neglect.

Policy Proposals

Mr. Jaishankar urged the G20 to show leadership in keeping energy markets open and predictable. He emphasized that India requires reliable LPG supplies for clean cooking. Furthermore, he highlighted India's National Mission on critical minerals, which covers everything from exploration to recycling, and mentioned India's proposal for a G20 Critical Minerals Circularity Initiative. He also called on the G20 to expand access to finance and promote storage, small modular reactors, green hydrogen, and biofuels.

Context

International forums like the G20 provide a platform for major economies to debate global trade rules and economic stability measures. Energy security remains a critical issue for developing nations that rely heavily on stable imports to fuel domestic growth and basic consumer needs.