The Ministry of External Affairs has stated that India is currently not considering participation in the Ukraine grain corridor, despite its efforts to provide grains to several countries grappling with rising food prices. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi made this announcement during a media briefing on Thursday.

When asked about India’s potential involvement in the Ukraine grain corridor during the weekly briefing, Bagchi explained, “We are aware of this, but we have been offering assistance to fellow countries from the Global South on a bilateral basis. I do not have confirmation that we are planning to join the grain corridor; most likely, we are not, as our focus has been on bilateral South-South mechanisms.” He further stated, “As of now, I have no information suggesting that we are considering participation in this initiative.”

The grain corridor, officially referred to as the Black Sea Grain Initiative, was established by the United Nations to address the Russian blockade of Ukrainian ports, which had halted grain exports. An agreement signed on July 27 in Istanbul, Turkey, facilitated the resumption of Ukrainian grain exports and helped stabilize soaring global food prices. A Joint Coordination Centre, with representatives from Ukraine, Russia, and Turkey and headquartered in Istanbul, oversees the implementation of this agreement.

However, Bagchi emphasized that India’s primary focus is on providing bilateral assistance, including the supply of grains, to countries experiencing food insecurity. He stated, “We have provided such assistance to various countries, particularly in Africa, but also in other regions, over the past few months.”

Additionally, Bagchi noted that India has not received any requests from Ukraine for the supply of electricity generating equipment, despite its ongoing humanitarian assistance to the country. The matter of humanitarian aid was also discussed during a recent telephone conversation between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.