External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday here warned of a “very grim forecast” for the world in the next five years given tension in West Asia, Ukraine and Russia and in Southeast Asia.  He also flagged economic challenges and the spectre of climate change.

The possibility of such a future “makes the case” for a stronger relationship between India and the United States, Jaishankar said as much, if not all, of the world waits on the outcome of November's US presidential election.

“I am an optimistic person and generally tend to think of solutions to problems rather than the problems that come out of solutions. But I would say, with a great deal of sobriety, that we are going through an exceptionally difficult period,” the external affairs minister said at an event.

“... (and) I have a very grim forecast for the next five years... you see happening in the Middle East, in Ukraine, in Southeast and East Asia, and the continued impact of COVID, which those of us who have come out of it take for granted... but many have not come out of it,” Jaishankar said.

Elaborating upon the threats posed by military conflict to the world, he warned this would spill over into economic challenges, such as rising fuel and fertiliser prices precipitated last year due to Ukraine-Russia conflict.

“The kind of economic challenges you see in the world... you see more and more countries struggling. Trade is getting difficult, there are forex shortages... so, you know, disruptions of various kinds,” Jaishankar said, also referring to concerns over increased pirate attacks in the Red Sea by Iran-aligned Houthi militia targeting commercial ships in a 'show of solidarity' with Palestinians in Gaza.

“What was happening in the Red Sea (and) climate events... are no longer just news... they have globally disruptive consequences and sometimes entire regions are basically made dysfunctional.” “This makes the case for India-US ties... not just about treaties (but) much more...” he said.

However, Jaishankar refused to get drawn into a discussion on the US election.  “We don't comment on other countries' elections. The US will give its verdict (and) we have every confidence, based on the past 20 years, we can work with the President... whoever he or she will be.” The 2024 US presidential election will see Vice President Kamala Harris facing Donald Trump.