As Russia has withdrawn from the United Nations(UN) initiated deal allowing the export of grain from Ukraine during the ongoing conflict, India has voiced support for the UN's efforts in continuing the Black Sea Grain initiative and expressed hope for an early resolution to the present impasse.
This assertion by India late Tuesday came a day after Russia announced it was terminating the implementation of the UN-brokered deal that allowed export of grain and related foodstuffs and fertilisers from Ukrainian ports. Moscow on Monday said it was terminating the implementation of the Black Sea Initiative-- a UN-brokered deal that allowed food exports from Ukraine amid the ongoing conflict with Russia-- including the withdrawal of Russian security guarantees for navigation in the North-Western part of the Black Sea.
Addressing the UN General Assembly's annual debate on the 'Situation in the Temporarily Occupied Territories of Ukraine,' India's Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador, Ruchira Kamboj, said New Delhi is concerned about the recent developments in the region, which have not helped in securing the larger cause of peace and stability.
“India has supported the efforts of the UN Secretary-General in continuing the Black Sea Grain Initiative and hopes for an early resolution to the present impasse,” Kamboj said. “India continues to remain concerned over the situation in Ukraine.
The conflict has resulted in the loss of lives and misery for its people, particularly for the women, children and elderly, with millions becoming homeless and forced to take shelter in neighbouring countries,” she said. Kamboj asserted that India's approach to the Ukrainian conflict will continue to be people-centric.
“We are providing both humanitarian assistance to Ukraine and economic support to some of our neighbours in the Global South under economic distress, even as they stare at the escalating cost of food, of fuel and of fertilisers – which has been a consequential fall out of the ongoing conflict,” she said. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres voiced deep regret over Moscow's termination of the implementation of the Black Sea Initiative decision, saying the initiative ensured the safe passage of over 32 million metric tonnes of food commodities from Ukrainian ports.
The World Food Programme (WFP) has shipped more than 725,000 tonnes to support humanitarian operations — relieving hunger in some of the hardest-hit corners of the world, including Afghanistan, Horn of Africa, and Yemen, Guterres said.
He added that the Black Sea Initiative and Memorandum of Understanding on facilitating exports of Russian food products and fertilisers have been a “lifeline” for global food security and a beacon of hope in a troubled world.
“At a time when the production and availability of food are being disrupted by conflict, climate change, energy prices and more, these agreements have helped to reduce food prices by over 23 per cent since March last year,” he said.