India’s Permanent Representative (PR) to the UN, Ruchira Kamboj, said India supports the UN’s efforts to continue the Black Sea Grain Initiative.
During a UN Security Council Open Debate on “Famine and Conflict-Induced Global Food Insecurity,” Kamboj remarked that solutions to global food insecurity can be found through dialogue and diplomacy.
Overview
The PR said, “India supports the efforts of the UN Secretary-General in continuing the Black Sea Grain Initiative and hopes for an early resolution to the present impasse.”
Kamboj expressed dissatisfaction with the inability of countries to reach an agreement on grain exports vital to the global economy. She urged that solutions to the food crises can be found through dialogue and diplomacy.
In a possible reference to Russia’s recent decision to withdraw from the Black Sea grain deal, she stated, “Recent developments in this matter have not helped in securing the larger cause of peace and stability.”
The Black Sea grain initiative was signed in July 2022 in the middle of the Russia-Ukraine conflict to enable Ukraine to export food and fertilisers from three Black Sea ports to the global market. The agreement between Russia and Ukraine was brokered by Turkey and the UN.
The deal was renewed thrice for 60 days each before being terminated by Russia in July. Despite several efforts, the deal has not been revived, thus triggering concerns about global food insecurity.
India Committed to Addressing Global Challenges
“The global food insecurity situation is daunting, with an increasing number of people facing acute food shortages over the past four years,” Kamboj highlighted.
The ambassador said addressing the growing food grain shortages requires countries to surpass current constraints.
“India is committed to playing its part in addressing contemporary global challenges, as reflected in our membership in the Champions Group of the Global Crisis Response Group,” she affirmed.
She underscored that the solutions lie in collective global action, as no single country can handle these challenges alone.
“Strengthening the international architecture and governance systems to protect the Global Order, Global Laws, and Global Values is a shared responsibility,” the PR noted.
Quoting Indian PM Narendra Modi with respect to leveraging G20, Kamboj said, the Indian Presidency is committed to “depoliticising the global supply of food, fertilisers and medical products, so that geopolitical tensions do not lead to humanitarian crisis.”