New Delhi: India has flagged off the food and energy security challenges emerging due to the ongoing war in Ukraine.
On Thursday (May 5), at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), India’s permanent representative to the UN, T S Tirumurti, spoke at length about the “disproportionate impact on the Global South and developing countries” of the ongoing disruptions.
“The conflict is having a destabilizing effect with broader regional and global implications,” he said, adding, “Oil prices are skyrocketing, and there is a shortage of food grains and fertilizers. This has had a
disproportionate impact on the Global South and developing countries”.
“The food security challenges emanating from the conflict require us to respond by going beyond constraints that bind us presently. Energy security is equally a serious concern and needs to be addressed through cooperative efforts,” he emphasized.
He pointed out that India has been sending humanitarian supplies to Ukraine, which include medicines and essential relief materials. “We are also providing more medical supplies. We hope the international community will continue to respond positively to evolving humanitarian requirements,” he added.
Tirumurti reiterated India’s consistent calls for “complete cessation of hostilities (in Ukraine) and for pursuing the path of dialogue and diplomacy as the only way out.”
“However, the conflict has resulted in a loss of lives and countless miseries for its peoples, particularly for women, children and elderly, with millions becoming homeless and forced to take shelter in neighbouring countries,” he said.
“India has strongly condemned the killing of civilians in Bucha and supported the call for an independent investigation,” Tirumurti noted.
The Indian envoy also welcomed the presence and remarks of the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres during the briefing.
“We acknowledge the efforts made by the Secretary-General, particularly the findings of the Global Crisis Response Group Task Team. We welcome their recommendation for exempting purchases of food by WFP (World Food Programme) for humanitarian assistance from food export restrictions with immediate effect,” Tirumurti said.
“Humanitarian action must always be guided by the principles of humanitarian assistance, i.e., humanity, neutrality, impartiality, and independence. These measures should never be politicized,” he said.
“Let me conclude by reaffirming that the contemporary global order has been built on the UN Charter, international law and respect for sovereignty and the territorial integrity of states,” Tirumurti said.
India also welcomed the recent visit of UN Secretary-General Guterres to Moscow and Ukraine’s capital Kyiv.
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