The US was shocked by India’s decision to impose a ban on wheat exports on May 13, believing such restrictions would aggravate the global wheat crisis due to the war in Ukraine.US hopes to convince India. The US has expressed optimism that India will reconsider its ban on wheat exports, days after China defended India’s move. It also stated that they are lobbying governments not to impose export restrictions.
Following the G-7 conference in Germany on Monday, US Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack voiced “great worry” over India’s action, which has caused a surge in already high wheat prices. According to CNBCTV18, Vilsack stated that India was limiting access to wheat, which he described as the “wrong thing at this moment.” US hopes to convince India.
On a conference call with reporters, Vilsack said, “What we need is market transparency; what we need is a market that helps deliver commodities to people in need.”
The Decision
During a New York Foreign Press Center briefing on global food security, US Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield was asked to comment on India’s plan to curtail exports owing to a potential shortfall due to high heat. “We have heard about India’s decision. We advise nations not to limit exports because we believe that doing so will increase food shortages.
But you’ve – once again, India will be one of the nations participating in our Security Council meeting. We hope that when they hear the concerns made by other countries, they will reconsider their stance,” said the envoy. This follows China’s defence of India last week in the face of Western criticism of the move.
In an article published in the Global Times, the Chinese government’s mouthpiece, China questioned whether the West is so concerned about the food supply that it will not increase exports to help stabilise the supply. Cem Ozdemir, Germany’s Agriculture Minister, had criticised India, claiming that if everyone began placing limitations, the issue would grow. According to China, India’s wheat exports are minor compared to major exporters such as the United States, Canada, the European Union, and Australia.
It went on to say that the situation is being caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the consequent sanctions imposed on the former. “Blaming India will not alleviate the food crisis. However, there is no doubting that India’s decision to halt wheat exports would raise wheat prices slightly.” “The West just wishes to transfer responsibility to emerging economies, particularly India,” it stated.
Read More : India Relaxes Wheat Export Ban; Allows Export of Previous Consignment
