The suspension of the Black Sea Grain initiative will exacerbate food security, fuel and fertiliser issues: India
As a result of the suspension of the UN-brokered Black Sea Grain initiative, which allowed Ukraine to export food during the ongoing conflict with Russia, India has stated that food security, fuel and fertilizer supply challenges throughout the world, particularly in the global South, are expected to be further exacerbated.
Deputy Counselor in India’s Permanent Mission to the UN, Madhu Sudan, said the grain initiative, resulting from the Secretary-General’s efforts, aimed to avert a global food crisis.
More than nine million tonnes of grains and other food products were exported from Ukraine due to the initiative.
The Black Sea Grain initiative and cooperation by the parties so far have provided a glimmer of hope for peace in Ukraine… Madhu Sudan informed the Security Council on Monday that the Black Sea Grain Initiative’s suspension is likely to further worsen the world’s food security, fuel, and fertilizer supply challenges, particularly in the global south.
According to him, India supports the engagement of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres with the parties to “renew and fully implement the initiative, as well as facilitate the export of food and fertilizer from Ukraine and Russia.” A recent attack on ships in the Ukrainian port of Sevastopol in the Crimea peninsula caused Russia to suspend its involvement in the deal on Saturday.
It has been reported that Guterres is very concerned about the current situation regarding the Black Sea Grain Initiative.
According to his spokesperson, the UN chief continues to engage in “intense contacts” to resolve the Russian suspension of its participation in the Black Sea Grain Initiative.
“The same engagement aims to renew and fully implement the initiative to facilitate exports of food and fertilizer from Ukraine, as well as to remove the remaining obstacles to exports of Russian food and fertilizer,” stated a UN statement.
India believes that exports contributed to the decrease in wheat and other commodities, as evidenced by the drop in the FAO (Food and Agriculture Organisation) price index.
As Madhu Sudan pointed out, the successful implementation of the Black Sea Grain initiative over the past four months is consistent with our long-standing position that diplomacy and dialogue are the only solutions to ending this ongoing conflict, which has adversely affected the region beyond.
As he explained, India continues to support all efforts, including those of the Secretary-General, to resolve the conflict. He reiterated that international law, the UN Charter, and respect for all states’ sovereignty and territorial integrity are the cornerstones of the global order.
