May 19, 2022
3 mins read

India assures food aid for countries ‘most in need’

India’s assurance came as Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned that the Russian invasion of Ukraine “threatens to tip tens of millions of people over the edge into food insecurity…writes Arul Louis

India’s Minister of State for External Affairs, V. Muraleedharan has given an assurance that despite restrictions on exports, India will provide food to countries that “are most in need” because of the Ukraine conflict.

“Let me make it clear that these measures allow for export on the basis of approvals to those countries who are required to meet their food security demands,” he said on Wednesday explaining India’s food export policy at the Ministerial Meeting on “Global Food Security Call to Action” convened by US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken.

He added: “This will be done on the request from the concerned governments. Such a policy will ensure that we will truly respond to those who are most in need.”

V. Muraleedharan @MOS_MEA

India’s assurance came as Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned that the Russian invasion of Ukraine “threatens to tip tens of millions of people over the edge into food insecurity, followed by malnutrition, mass hunger and famine”.

The crisis has been precipitated by the disruption in supplies from Ukraine and Russia, which Guterres said “produce almost a third of the world’s wheat and barley and half of its sunflower oil”.

Muraleedharan’s assurance sought to dispel an impression created by some international media reports that India will not pitch in to help the countries facing starvation because of the export restrictions announced last week.

The restrictions only apply to future commercial transactions.

The UN chief said “there should be no restrictions on exports,” while also adding that “surpluses must be made available to those most in need”.

But Union Minister Muraleedharan said “open markets must not become an argument to perpetuate inequity and promote discrimination” — approaches that he asserted, created problems with the availability of Covid vaccines.

The wheat export restrictions were introduced only “to manage our own overall food security and support the needs of neighbouring and other vulnerable developing countries,” he added.

India “has never been found wanting” when it came to helping countries in distress, whether it was the Covid-19 pandemic or conflicts.

“We have provided food aid in the form of thousands of metric tonnes of wheat, rice, pulses and lentils to several countries, including our neighbourhood and Africa, to strengthen their food security,” Muraleedharan said.

He added that India has donated 50,000 tonne of wheat to Afghanistan, sent 10,000 tonne of rice and wheat to Myanmar and was also assisting Sri Lanka.

“In keeping with our ethos of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’, which means ‘the world is one family’, and our ‘Neighbourhood First Policy’, we will continue to assist our neighbours in their hour of need, and stand by them, always,” the Indian diplomat said.

Guterres called for ensuring that sanctions and restrictions did not lead to food shortages.

He said “there is no effective solution to the food crisis without reintegrating Ukraine’s food production, as well as the food and fertiliser produced by Russia and Belarus, into world markets — despite the war”.

With Moscow facing several sanctions, the UN Secretary-General said, “Russian food and fertilisers, must have unrestricted access to world markets without indirect impediments.”

But Russia must also “permit the safe and secure export of grain stored in Ukrainian ports,” he added.

Blinken said the allegations that sanctions on Russia were causing food shortages were “false”.

“When we imposed sanctions on Russia in order to end the war as quickly as possible, we deliberately and carefully created exceptions for agricultural goods and fertiliser,” he added.

Blinken asked “countries to step up with substantial new contributions to fill the gaps faced by humanitarian organisations and agencies that are battling food insecurity which are forcing humanitarian groups to make incredibly wrenching decisions about when and where to cut lifesaving assistance”.

ALSO READ: India will be the fastest growing economy: UN

Previous Story

Bilawal in US to repair ties

Next Story

Global Covid caseload tops 525.3 mn

Latest from -Top News

WAVES 2025: Jaishankar Advocates Cultural Pluralism

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar delivered a powerful address at the WAVES 2025 Global Media Dialogue, highlighting the significance of cultural pluralism in shaping global change. Speaking on the second day of

India Eyes Supply Chain Shift

India’s electronics manufacturing sector is undergoing a remarkable transformation, positioning the country as a major global hub for production and supply chain diversification. Riding on favourable government policies, geopolitical tailwinds, and a

Carney Confirms May 6 White House Visit

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney will travel to Washington on May 6 for a high-stakes meeting with US President Donald Trump, just days after taking office following a contentious federal election. Speaking

Rubio Backs AfD, Slams Berlin

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has strongly criticised Germany for officially classifying the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party as an extremist organisation, accusing the German government of undermining democracy under

India Bans All Pakistan Imports

In a sharp escalation of diplomatic hostilities, India has banned all direct and indirect imports from Pakistan with immediate effect, following the brutal terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam region that
Go toTop

Don't Miss

UAE Lauds India’s G20 Presidency

Sheikh Abdullah reiterated the UAE’s support for India’s presidency of

‘Discharged my duties as CJI in whatever way possible’

CJI Ramana, who succeeded Chief Justice S.A. Bobde in April