As G7 frets, India says wheat export curbs to aid neighbours

NEW DELHI: Following the G7 criticism of India's decision to regulate wheat exports, the Indian embassy in Berlin explained in a statement that the move by India will ensure the fulfilment of the genuine needs of India's neighbours and food-deficit countries and that the restrictions imposed won't come in the way of meeting prior commitments.
The embassy said India announced an amendment in India's export policy for wheat to manage the overall food security situation in India and to support the needs of neighbouring and vulnerable countries that are adversely affected by the sudden changes in the global market and are unable to access adequate wheat supplies.
However, it added, this restriction would not apply in cases where prior commitments have been made by "private trade as well as in situations where permission is granted by the Government of India to other countries to meet their food security needs and on the requests of their governments."
"The amendment order serves three main purposes: it ensures India's food security and checks inflation, it helps other countries facing food deficit, and it maintains India's reliability as a supplier. The amendment also aims to provide a clear direction to the wheat market to prevent hoarding of wheat supplies. The decision to regulate exports will also control inflationary expectations," it said.
Regarding the availability of wheat in India, the difference in availability compared to last year is marginal, added the embassy.