El Niño events have historically been associated with weaker monsoons in South Asia, erratic rainfall patterns, and increased risks of droughts and floods.
The coming months could bring South Asia and the wider Indian Ocean region a dangerous mix of climate shocks, economic strain, and geopolitical instability. At the centre of this looming challenge is the anticipated El Niño event, which is likely to disrupt monsoon patterns, intensify weather extremes, and place additional pressure on already fragile food, water, and energy systems.
But El Niño will not arrive in isolation. It will intersect with continuing global disruptions—from the war in Ukraine to instability in the Middle East—each of which continues to reverberate through energy markets, food supply chains, and shipping routes. The combined effect is likely to be cumulative, not linear.
This is, therefore, a moment that calls for anticipatory regional coordination rather than fragmented national responses.
There is already a clear precedent for such coordination in the region.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, India emerged as a key first responder, supplying vaccines, medicines, and logistical support across the neighbourhood under its “Neighbourhood First” policy. This helped establish a practical framework for regional cooperation in times of systemic stress.
More recently, India played a similar role during the economic crisis in Sri Lanka, providing critical financial assistance, fuel, and essential supplies at a moment of acute vulnerability. India has also been among the first responders during major climate-related disasters, including cyclone events such as Cyclone Ditwa, delivering rapid humanitarian assistance.
These are not isolated gestures. They reflect an emerging pattern in which India increasingly functions as a stabilising force in the wider region.
This trajectory is reflected in India’s evolving regional frameworks—from Neighbourhood First, to SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region), and now the broader MAHASAGAR vision, which signals an expanded maritime and regional engagement architecture.
El Niño events have historically been associated with weaker monsoons in South Asia, erratic rainfall patterns, and increased risks of droughts and floods. In a region where agriculture remains highly climate-sensitive, even modest deviations can translate into inflation, rural distress, and fiscal pressure.
This year, however, the risks are compounded by global fragilities:
* Persistent food and fertilizer price volatility
* Elevated energy costs linked to geopolitical tensions
* Supply chain disruptions in key commodities
* High debt burdens in several neighbouring economies
Together, these factors reduce the resilience of national systems and increase the risk of cascading shocks across borders.
It is also important to recognise that social instability in some fragile countries in the region should be kept in mind, as climate shocks and economic pressures can quickly reinforce each other and create wider humanitarian and political consequences.
Against this backdrop, there is a strong case for India to convene a regional El Niño preparedness dialogue in Delhi, bringing together neighbouring countries, key development partners, and multilateral institutions.
This should not be limited to South Asia alone. The impacts of El Niño extend across the wider Indo-Pacific and Indian Ocean region. Participation could include:
* Neighbouring states in South and Southeast Asia
* The United Nations system
* The World Bank and Asian Development Bank
* Key bilateral partners such as Japan and others active in regional resilience
Given its geographic position, institutional capacity, and experience as a first responder, it is both natural and appropriate for India to chair such an initiative.
The objective should be practical coordination rather than declaratory statements. Three areas stand out:
1. Shared forecasting and early warning systems
Strengthening real-time exchange of climate data, monsoon projections, and sectoral risk mapping, particularly for agriculture, water, and fisheries.
2. Contingency planning for essential supplies
Coordinating regional approaches to food reserves, fertilizer availability, and energy supply buffers during climatic disruptions.
3. Disaster response and financing coordination
Improving interoperability among disaster management systems, and exploring rapid-response financing through multilateral development banks for climate-related shocks.
India’s regional doctrine has steadily evolved—from Neighbourhood First to SAGAR, and now MAHASAGAR—reflecting a broader conception of responsibility in the Indian Ocean region.
Each stage has expanded the scope of engagement: from immediate neighbourhood assistance, to maritime cooperation and growth, to a wider vision of regional interconnectedness.
A structured El Niño preparedness initiative would be a natural continuation of this trajectory, embedding climate resilience into the region’s evolving strategic architecture.
The distinction between climate events and security outcomes is increasingly blurred. A failed monsoon in one country can trigger food inflation in another; a cyclone can disrupt trade routes; droughts can accelerate migration pressures and fiscal instability.
El Niño should therefore be seen not only as a meteorological phenomenon but as a systemic stress test for regional resilience.
India is already widely seen in the region as a first responder in times of crisis. The experiences of COVID-19, the Sri Lankan economic emergency, and climate-related disasters have reinforced this role in practical terms.
The next step is to move from reactive response to anticipatory coordination.
A Delhi-based regional El Niño preparedness meeting—anchored by India and supported by multilateral institutions and key bilateral partners—would be a timely and pragmatic initiative. In an era of compounding global risks, regional cooperation is no longer optional; it is essential.
Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.
Milinda Moragoda is a former Sri Lankan Cabinet Minister and diplomat from Sri Lanka. He has served as Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to India in the past. He is the founder of the …Read More
Leave a Reply