NEW DELHI: External affairs minister S Jaishankar on Friday underscored the importance of freedom of navigation for global economic security in a meeting of the G7 foreign ministers in France, amid Iranian blockade of Strait of Hormuz. On the margins, Jaishankar also met his G7 counterparts, including US secretary of state Marco Rubio with whom, he said, he had “useful” talks.Jaishankar said on X he raised Global South’s concerns about energy challenges, fertiliser supplies and food security in the session on global governance. “The uncertainties arising from the conflict in West Asia only make a stronger case for more resilient trade corridors and supply chains,” he said. Jaishankar said on X India’s FTAs with the EU, EFTA members and the UK have enhanced the utility of IMEC.He also said on X that he highlighted the urgency of UNSC reforms, streamlining peacekeeping operations, and strengthening humanitarian supply chains.In an session on cross-cutting threats and sovereignty, Jaishankar emphasised the importance of freedom of navigation, and also spoke about the threat of narco-terror linkages. He also shared views about IMEC in one of the sessions, appreciating the “wide support and enthusiasm” to realise this important connectivity initiative.Jaishankar met his Canadian counterpart, Anita Anand. The two followed up on the outcomes from Canadian PM Mark Carney’s visit to India earlier this month.
