Let India export foodgrains from public stock: FM Sitharaman at G20

Says India could help in reducing hunger or food insecurity

India should be allowed to export foodgrains from its public stockholding to countries facing a hunger crisis, something which is in contravention of current World Trade Organization (WTO) rules, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on Friday.

Sitharaman was speaking on the sidelines of the meeting of G-20 finance ministers and central bank governors (FMCBG) in Bali, Indonesia.

“WTO norms have restrictions that grains so procured cannot be brought to the market for export... We have repeatedly said we are willing to trade in the surplus we have,” Sitharaman said.

According to WTO norms, countries are not allowed to export foodgrains from their