Wheat Export Ban: Union Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan expressed concern over global food insecurity, India took steps to help

Union Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan expressed concern over global food insecurity while addressing a high-level ministerial meeting on 'Global Food Security - Call to Action' in New York on Wednesday. The meeting was chaired by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in New York. The Union Minister said that the ongoing conflict between the Corona epidemic and Russia-Ukraine has affected developing countries. Energy and commodity prices have risen in the past few years and there have been disruptions to global logistics supply chains.

Constructive dialogue solves war

Referring to the Ukraine conflict, Muraleedharan said that the food security challenges posed by the conflict, inter alia, require a constructive response. He further said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has emphasized finding a diplomatic solution through constructive dialogue between the two sides, in consultation with the concerned leadership.

"We have focused on the Secretary General's initiative to set up a Global Crisis Response Group on Food, Energy, and Finance (GCRG)," he added. We appreciate the call of the Secretary-General to exempt the purchase of food by the World Food Program for humanitarian assistance from food export restrictions with immediate effect.'

India took steps to help

The Union Minister emphasized that the sudden rise in global wheat prices has put food security and the neighboring countries and other vulnerable countries at risk. Muraleedharan said, “We are committed to ensuring that such adverse impact on food security is effectively mitigated. To manage our overall food security and support the needs of neighboring and other vulnerable developing countries, we have announced certain measures regarding the export of wheat on May 13, 2022.'

Muraleedharan said these measures allowed exports on an approval basis to countries that needed to meet their food security demands. He further said that this would be done at the request of the respective governments and such a policy would ensure that India provides food in the true sense to those who need it the most.

India is helping Sri Lanka

The Union Minister said that India is donating 50,000 metric tonnes of wheat to Afghanistan. He further said that for Myanmar, India has continued its humanitarian support, including a grant of 10,000 tonnes of rice and wheat.

Looking at Sri Lanka's economic crisis, Muralitharan said, "We are also helping Sri Lanka during this difficult time including food assistance." In keeping with our ethos of Vasudhaiv Kutumbakam, (the world is one family) and our Neighborhood First policy, we will continue to help our neighbors in their hour of need and will always stand by them.'

Also Read: Due to the ban on export, the price of wheat fell by Rs 200 a quintal in the mandis of Haryana, yet more than the MSP