Shibbir Ahmed, New York — Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has warned that the world is witnessing the “weaponisation of everything,” with finance, market access, supply chains and technology increasingly being used as tools of pressure. Addressing the General Debate of the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York on Saturday, Jaishankar said growing conflicts and confrontations were undermining international security, economic progress and development, particularly affecting countries in the Global South.

“What we are actually seeing is a weaponisation of everything,” Jaishankar said, referring to the growing use of economic and technological tools as leverage. He said a mindset of extreme competition was undermining institutions and creating new chokepoints in global trade and cooperation.

According to Jaishankar, the trend extends from finance and market access to supply chains and technology. He said countries were increasingly focused on reducing risks and diversifying their economic relationships, but warned that the overall atmosphere was becoming less conducive to trust and goodwill.

Concerns Over Global Conflicts

Jaishankar also addressed ongoing conflicts in the Gulf, Ukraine and West Asia. He called for restraint, de-escalation and the protection of civilians, while stressing the importance of maintaining the uninterrupted flow of energy and commerce. He particularly condemned attacks on commercial shipping and seafarers in international waterways, saying the loss of Indian and other nationals in such attacks was “simply unacceptable.”

India has also launched a Group of Friends on Safety and Security of Shipping and Seafarers, with 23 other partners, aimed at strengthening international attention to maritime safety. On Ukraine, Jaishankar said India supports efforts to bring the conflict to an end, while reiterating the importance of protecting food and energy supplies. Regarding West Asia, he said India supports a two-state solution as the basis for a durable and lasting peace and called for humanitarian assistance for Palestinians.

Warning Over Global South’s ‘4F Crisis’

Jaishankar said developing countries were facing what he described as a “4F crisis” involving food, fuel, fertiliser and finance. He warned that fertiliser shortages, disruptions to grain movements and other global pressures were increasing the challenges faced by developing nations. He also argued that restrictions on market access and non-market practices were making it harder for countries in the Global South to industrialise. Jaishankar further raised concerns about artificial intelligence, saying technology that was expected to create opportunities could also become a source of anxiety if misused.

Call for a More Representative Global Order

The Indian minister also called for reforms to international institutions, arguing that the global order established after World War II is facing new realities. He said the world is moving toward a more multipolar system and that countries should engage through dialogue and cooperation. He also argued that large sections of humanity should not be excluded from global decision-making.

Jaishankar’s address placed India’s concerns about terrorism, maritime security, economic pressures, technology and global governance within a broader call for greater stability and international cooperation.

Shibbir Ahmed, WASHINGTON DC: President Donald Trump said Tuesday that the United States has cleared all naval mines from the international waters of the Strait of Hormuz, while warning Iran that any vessel attempting to place new mines in the strategically vital waterway would face an immediate military response.

Trump said the U.S. Navy had informed him that the mines had been removed or detonated from international waters in the strait. He also issued what he described as a “zero tolerance” warning against any attempt to lay new mines.

“Any vessel or boat putting mines in the International Waters of the Strait of Hormuz will be immediately and systematically destroyed,” Trump said in a Tuesday post on social media, according to reports. The announcement marks a significant development in the continuing confrontation between Washington and Tehran over control and security of the waterway, one of the world’s most important energy corridors.

U.S. military operation

The mine-clearance operation focused on the main international shipping lanes through the Strait of Hormuz. Axios reported that the U.S. military had been directing oil tankers through a southern lane near Oman while clearance operations were underway. Two U.S. officials confirmed that the mines had been removed from the main shipping channel.

Trump also said the U.S. Space Force was monitoring the entire strait, underscoring Washington’s determination to detect any renewed attempt to disrupt maritime traffic.

However, maritime-security authorities continue to warn that mine-related risks have not necessarily disappeared entirely. One industry report said danger areas remain active and that clearance operations are continuing despite Trump’s announcement.

Critical route for global energy

The Strait of Hormuz connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea. It is a crucial route for global oil shipments. According to Reuters, oil shipments through the strait have fallen to roughly 5 million barrels per day, compared with more than 20 million barrels per day before the conflict. Any renewed mining of the waterway could therefore have immediate consequences for international shipping, energy markets and oil prices.

Iran and Oman seek separate arrangement

The U.S. announcement comes as Iran and Oman are discussing arrangements for managing maritime traffic through the strait. The two countries are reportedly considering a phased traffic-management system, including a temporary navigation corridor and mine-clearance efforts.

The parallel diplomatic discussions suggest that, despite the U.S. military’s declaration that the international waters have been cleared, the broader question of how commercial shipping will safely operate through the waterway remains unresolved.

For Washington, maintaining freedom of navigation through Hormuz is also directly linked to global energy security. The White House has previously described reopening the strait and restoring free navigation as a central element of its agreement with Iran.

Trump’s latest warning makes clear that the administration intends to respond forcefully to any renewed attempt to threaten maritime traffic. The situation remains fluid as the United States, Iran and regional governments navigate the security and diplomatic consequences surrounding one of the world’s most strategically important waterways.