New Delhi, India (CU)_ The UN World Food Program has cautioned the world that the Ukraine conflict would result in soaring food costs and an exacerbation of hunger around the world as a result of interrupted supply networks and crop output. According to media reports, countries such as Africa and the Middle East may bear the brunt of the impact due to their reliance on cheap grain exports.
Following the India-US 2 + 2 ministerial conversation, Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated that the US and India are collaborating to increase food supply to the global market and to manufacture more fertilizer in light of the Ukraine conflict-related scarcity. Blinken also had a joint news conference with India’s foreign and defense ministers, where he emphasized India’s enormous humanitarian assistance to the Ukrainian people. Additionally, he emphasized that India had issued a strong statement condemning civilian deaths in Ukraine.
Blinken highlighted the efforts of the UN World Food Program to tackle the awaiting food shortage. He also urged the countries to contribute their part. He said, “Our countries are working together to try to bring more food to world markets as well as to the World Food Program”. He added, “The United States is also focused on securing more funding for the World Food Program and the UN Food and Agricultural Organization. And producing more fertilizer so that we can help others sustain crop fields in the future”.
According to the statement from the US Secretary of State, “India has to make its own choice about how it approaches this challenge. We, as a general proposition, are consulting with all our allies and allies partners on the consequences of (Russian President) Putin’s war”. He added, “In our judgment, it is important that all countries, especially those with leverage, press Putin to end this war. And democracies must stand together and speak with one voice to defend the values that we share”.
Blinken learnt that India’s connection with Russia grew over decades, at a period when the US was unable to be a partner to India. He expressed desires to support India. He said, “Times have changed. Today, we are able and willing to be partners of choice with India across every realm.”
