India sends another consignment of wheat to war-ravaged Afghanistan amid global shortages

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Continuing with humanitarian assistance, India sent another consignment of 2,000 metric tons of wheat to war-ravaged Afghanistan. The consignment, flagged off by Rahul Nangare, Commissioner of Customs, was sent via the Attari-Wagah border. It had a message reading 'Gift from the people of India to the people of Afghanistan'.</p>
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"The Indian government has promised to provide 50,000 metric tons of wheat to Afghanistan, to which we have sent 10,000 metric tons of wheat already,” ANI quoted the commissioner as saying. “From the remaining 40,000 metric tons today we are sending the first consignment of 2,000 metric tons of wheat," he said.</p>
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India has already said that it will provide 50,000 metric tonnes (MT) of wheat to Afghanistan overland through Pakistan. Thereafter, several consignments of wheat have reached Afghanistan.</p>
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In November Pakistan agreed to allow Indian trucks carrying relief materials including wheat and life-saving medicines to pass through its land.</p>
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<strong>Also read: <a href="https://www.indianarrative.com/economy-news/as-inflation-rises-india-bans-wheat-exports-170984.html">As inflation rises, India bans wheat exports</a></strong></p>
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According to the news agency, the time period granted by Pakistan for transportation of the humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan expired on 21 March 2022, New Delhi had requested for extension in the time.</p>
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While on Saturday India –hit by rising inflation and a fall in production due to severe heat wave– decided to ban exports of wheat inflation, it said it will honour the letters of credit that have been already issued and requests from countries trying "to meet their food security needs".</p>
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Food security is becoming a cause for concern in several parts of the world. The ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict preceded by the Covid 19 pandemic could severely impact food security in many countries. The issue of food security is likely to be discussed at length at the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) 12th ministerial meeting in June. The war has also fanned global food inflation amid broken supply chains.</p>