New Delhi: Amid the food crisis triggered by the Ukraine conflict affecting the world, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Friday held talks with his Iranian and Indonesian counterparts over the phone. The EAM’s talks with Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian come as Iran has been witnessing massive protests due to a shortage of wheat. According to reports a number of civilians have been killed in shooting by security personnel at people protesting over soaring food prices in Iran. The protests were sparked by a cut in state subsidies for imported wheat that caused prices to surge by up to 300 per cent for a variety of wheat flour-based staples. The government of President Ebrahim Raisi has also raised prices of basic goods such as cooking oil and dairy products. While India has banned the export of wheat, the government said on Thursday that there has been an unjustified increase in wheat prices due to hoarding and speculation and that New Delhi would export the foodgrain to those countries that need it to meet their food security demands which would be based on requests from the respective governments. On his talk with the Iranian FM, the EAM said in a brief tweet: “Nice to speak to FM @Amirabdolahian of Iran. “Reaffirmed in our conversation the importance we both attach to advancing our relationship.” His conversation with the Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi also comes a day after Jakarta lifted a ban on the export of palm oil, of which India is a large consumer. Indonesia, the world’s biggest supplier of palm oil, said on Thursday it will lift a ban on exports from Monday, which is good news for India. India annually imports around 13-13.5 million tonnes of edible oils, of which around 8-8.5 million tonnes (around 63 per cent) is palm oil. Around 45-50 per cent of the palm oil is imported from Indonesia and the rest from Malaysia. Indonesia, which accounts for nearly 60% of global palm oil production, banned exports last month in a bid to maintain domestic supplies and keep prices of its staple cooking oil down. Palm oil is a key ingredient in food and cosmetics. Indonesia is also the G20 chair this year, and India will take on the mantle for hosting the next year’s summit. The EAM said in a tweet: “Good conversation this morning with FM @Menlu_RI of Indonesia. “Exchanged views on G20 developments and progress. India is fully supportive of the Indonesian Presidency.” UNI RN
