Govt set to pitch for grain sales from public stockholding at WTO meet

The Centre's comments are significant as the G7 countries have criticised India's ban on wheat exports

India will strongly pitch for foodgrain sales from public stockholdings to address the global food crisis, like those in wheat, at the WTO 12th Ministerial Conference at Geneva, beginning next week.

Dammu Ravi, secretary (economic relations) at the external affairs ministry, said: “It is crucial to revisit the agriculture debate. The rules-based trading system should be made more flexible to facilitate solutions to assist countries needing food, fertiliser and all the components of the food system.”

His comments are significant as the G7 countries have criticised India’s ban on wheat exports, claiming it will exacerbate food shortages.

A Bloomberg report said that the