AMN
India has raised concern at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) about the suspension of the UN-brokered Black Sea Grain initiative. New Delhi said the move is likely to further worsen the food security, fuel, and fertilizer supply challenges faced by the world, particularly the Global South.
Speaking at the UNSC briefing debate on Ukraine, Madhu Sudan, Counsellor at the Permanent Mission of India to the UN, said, the Black Sea Grain deal had provided a glimmer of hope for peace in Ukraine and helped contribute to lowering the prices of wheat and other commodities. The Indian diplomat said the initiative had resulted in the export of more than nine million tonnes of grains and other food products out of Ukraine. They believe the exports had contributed to lowering prices of wheat and other commodities, evident from the drop in the FAO Food Price Index.
The UN-brokered Black Sea Grain Initiative was signed during a ceremony in Istanbul in July. Under the deal, ships transporting grain from three Ukrainian ports travel along an agreed corridor to markets worldwide.
This UNSC debate comes after Russia requested the meeting following its decision to suspend participation in the Black Sea Grain Initiative for an unspecified period of time, announced this past weekend, in response to alleged Ukrainian attacks against its ships.
Counsellor Madhu Sudan said India supports the engagement of the Secretary-General with the parties on renewal and full implementation of the initiative, including facilitating exports of food and fertilizer from Ukraine and Russia.