India has assured its commitment to work constructively in mitigating the adverse impact of the Ukraine conflict on food security and in ensuring that vulnerable countries have sufficient cushion against fluctuations in the global market.
At a United Nations' Security Council meeting on Ukraine in New York on Monday, India said that the conflict is having a destabilizing effect with broader regional and global implications – in particular on developing countries with the increasing oil prices and shortage of food grains and fertilizers.
While reiterating its support for all diplomatic efforts to end the conflicts and alleviate the suffering of the people of Ukraine, New Delhi called for resumption of talks between Ukraine and the Russian Federation to end the conflict.
India also asserted that the developed world needs to do much more to alleviate the adverse impact
"In order to manage our own overall food security and support the needs of neighbouring and other vulnerable developing countries, we had announced some measures that allow for wheat exports based on approvals to those countries who are required to meet their food security demands. Such a policy will ensure that countries in need are given priority," R Ravindra, India's Deputy Permanent Representative, said in a statement.
He added that India continues to remain deeply concerned at the worsening situation in Ukraine and reiterates its call for immediate cessation of violence and an end to hostilities.
"The conflict in Ukraine has resulted in loss of lives and countless miseries for its peoples, particularly for women, children, and elderly, with millions becoming homeless and forced to take shelter in neighboring countries," said Ravindra.
India has been providing financial assistance as well as supplying food grains to neighboring countries which are facing the consequences of the Ukraine conflict. New Delhi hoped that the international community will continue to respond positively to the evolving humanitarian requirements.
📺Watch: Ambassador R. Ravindra, Deputy Permanent Representative speak at the #UNSC Meeting on #Ukraine ⤵️@MEAIndia @IndiainUkraine pic.twitter.com/dr34OPUN3V
— India at UN, NY (@IndiaUNNewYork) June 6, 2022
"It is necessary for all of us to adequately appreciate the importance of equity, affordability and accessibility when it comes to food grains. We have already seen to our great regret how these principles were disregarded in the case of Covid-19 vaccines. Open markets must not become an argument to perpetuate inequity and promote discrimination," said India's Deputy Permanent Representative.
India has maintained that the humanitarian action must always be guided by the principles of humanitarian assistance – humanity, neutrality, impartiality, and independence – and these measures should never be politicized.
The Indian ambassador also highlighted the conflict-related sexual violence, saying that it is indeed distressing that sexual violence in conflict situations continues unabated amidst a culture of impunity—as a tactic of war, torture, and terror in armed conflicts, especially by non-State actors.
