G20 Trade Ministers Meeting: Piyush Goyal Emphasizes Food Security, Opposes Weaponization of Food
At the G20 Trade Ministers meeting held in Milwaukee, USA, Union Minister Piyush Goyal shared India's food security policies and reaffirmed commitment to a multilateral trading system.
Union Minister for Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal participated in the opening session of the G20 Trade Ministers meeting held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States. The meeting was chaired by the United States.
Addressing the session on food and trade, Mr. Goyal expressed gratitude to the Presidency for placing food security at the center of the discussions. He clarified that ensuring food security for all and creating new opportunities for farmers are key pillars of India's policy. He strongly emphasized that food should never be used as a means to exert pressure on any country.
The Union Minister stated that countries of the 'Global South' have been most affected by the crisis of food, fuel, and fertilizers resulting from global conflicts. He warned that the current shortage of fertilizers could lead to a food crisis in the future. Highlighting India's achievements, he noted that during the COVID-19 pandemic, India ensured the food security of its 1.4 billion citizens and provided grains to several needy countries. He further informed that currently, free food grains are being provided to over 800 million people in India.
Mr. Goyal explained that India maintains public stockholding and procures grains from small and marginal farmers. To ensure food availability and affordable prices in the event of crop failure, India adopts temporary and transparent measures, which are recognized under the WTO's 'Bali Ministerial Decision' and the 'Geneva Ministerial Declaration'.
During the meeting, he reiterated India's commitment to a fair, transparent, inclusive, and multilateral trading system centered on the WTO. In this regard, the G20 Trade Ministers reached an agreement on a document titled 'G20 Statement on the Use of Food as a Weapon through Coercive Trade Actions'.
During this visit, Mr. Goyal visited the offices and factory of Rockwell Automation in Mekwon along with U.S. Trade Representative Ambassador Jamieson Greer. Additionally, he held bilateral meetings with the respective ministers and representatives of Brazil, the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Mexico, and Poland. Finally, he attended a welcome dinner organized by Ambassador Greer and Secretary Rollins of the U.S. Department of Agriculture at the Milwaukee Art Museum.
