America is also troubled by the ban on India’s wheat export, said – the world will die of hunger, ‘reconsider’ the decision

India had recently banned the export of wheat, due to which the prices of wheat started skyrocketing all over the world. America, one of the world’s richest countries, is also upset with this decision of India. However, the US expects India to “reconsider” its decision to ban wheat exports. The US has said that the countries that have banned the export of wheat will request those countries not to do so. In fact, after the Russian attack on Ukraine, there is a shortage of food all over the world as it has disrupted the supply chain for the export of wheat.

Why did India ban wheat exports?

India is the second largest wheat producing country in the world. Amid concerns that wheat production would be affected due to heat and heat, India has imposed a ban on export of wheat to check the steep rise in prices of its staple food grain. The decision will help in controlling the retail prices of wheat and wheat flour, which have risen by an average of 14-20 per cent in the last one year, besides meeting the foodgrain requirement of neighboring and vulnerable countries.

America told India – think again on the decision

US Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield said during a virtual New York Foreign Press Center briefing on Monday: “We have seen reports of India’s decision. We are encouraging countries not to restrict exports as we think that any restriction on exports will exacerbate the food shortage.” He said that people are standing on the verge of starvation. “India will be one of the participating countries in our meeting in the Security Council, and we hope that they will listen to the concerns being raised by other countries and we hope that they will reconsider that position,” he said.

Thomas-Greenfield was responding to a question on India’s decision to restrict wheat exports. The US envoy said that Ukraine used to be a bread basket for the developing world, but “since Russia began to block important ports and destroy civilian infrastructure and grain silos, Africa and Central In the past the situation of hunger has become even more dire.

He said, “This is a crisis for the whole world, and so it is a UN issue. We have a responsibility to the millions of people who are worried about where they will get their next meal or where they can feed their families.” This week we will discuss about this and take steps to reduce food insecurity around the world.” The US is the UN Security Council chair for the month of May and will host a signing event on food security this week against the backdrop of international conflicts such as the Russia-Ukraine war.

On 19 May, Secretary of State Antony Blinken will chair an open debate on ‘Maintenance of International Peace and Security: Conflict and Food Security’. On the eve of the Security Council meeting, Blinken will chair a global food security call to action ministerial meeting on Wednesday. Minister of State for External Affairs and Parliamentary Affairs V Muraleedharan will be in New York from May 17 to May 20. He will attend a high-level ministerial meeting at the UN Security Council on ‘Global Food Security – Call to Action’ and make a statement.