Stuttgart, Germany: Agriculture ministers from the Group of Seven industrialised nations on Saturday condemned India's decision to ban wheat exports. "If everyone starts to impose export restrictions or to close markets, that would worsen the crisis," German Agriculture Minister Cem Ozdemir said at a press conference. "We call on India to assume its responsibility as a G20 member," Ozdemir added. The agriculture ministers would also "recommend" the topic be addressed at the G7 summit in Germany in June, which Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been invited to attend.
The ban, sources in New Delhi said, was intended to allay India’s worries about its own "food security". Nonetheless, all export deals agreed before the directive was issued on Friday would still be honoured; but all future shipments need to have government approval. Exports could also take place if New Delhi approved a request by other governments "to meet their food security needs."
