India’s reiteration came after UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned that the situation due to the war threatens to push tens of millions of people to the brink of food insecurity, followed by malnutrition, mass starvation and famine, Indo-Asian News Service reported.

India’s new export policy came at a time when the country is facing price hikes and domestic shortages, but Muraleedharan underlined his country’s commitment to stand by the nations in need.

A massive market fluctuation and food shortages were triggered globally by the disruption of grain supplies caused by the confrontation between Ukraine and Russia, which produce almost a third of the world’s wheat and barley, and half of its sunflower oil.

India’s recent wheat export restrictions were introduced only to manage food security and support the needs of neighboring countries and other vulnerable developing nations, Muraleedharan said.

The minister said that India donated 50,000 tons of wheat to Afghanistan, sent 10,000 tons of rice and wheat to Myanmar and also aid Sri Lanka.

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