World needs peace

It is now almost three months since the war in Iran commenced. During this period, the conflict has taken a very different turn. The key issue now is the opening of the Hormuz Strait.

The closure of the Hormuz Strait has created an international crisis in fuel and petroleum products. Almost all countries have had to increase the prices of petrol, diesel and cooking gas.

Farmers and their crops are adversely impacted, due to shortage of fertilisers. This could lead to an all-encompassing price increase. Costs of milk and most foods have augmented by three to six per cent in India. And, this is just the beginning. The year 2026 could see an average inflation of eight to ten per cent in consumer prices across the globe, especially in the developing countries in Asia and Africa.

The poorer sections of society in most developing countries cannot afford these higher prices. Many underprivileged people may sleep hungry. Others could lose their jobs.

We should not let millions of people suffer without food, medicines or jobs.

So, it is time to seriously end the war and let the ships sail freely through Hormuz Strait, to restore the global economic balance.

Rajendra Aneja,
Mumbai, India