G7: PM Modi highlights India's Remarkable Progress in Food Security & Gender Equality
PM Narendra Modi is in Munich for participating in the G7 Summit. On the sidelines of the Summit in Germany, he met leaders of other nations including US President Joe Biden, French President Emmanuel Macron, President of South Africa Cyril Ramaphosa, President of Indonesia, Joko Widodo and Canadian PM Justin Trudeau at the G-7 Summit in Germany.
This was followed by a working session called Stronger Together: Addressing Food Security and Advancing Gender Equality between G7 leaders and international partner countries, including India, and organisations. Addressing the session, PM Modi shared India’s experiences and efforts in the areas of both food security & gender equality.
Highlighting how the geopolitical tensions are spreading beyong the European borders and affecting all, PM Modi said, "The rising prices of energy and food grains are affecting all the countries. The energy and security of developing countries is particularly at risk."
Citing examples of worsening conditions in countries like Afghanistan and Sri Lanka, PM Modi shared about the humanitarian aid that India has sent to these countries in order to contribute in addressing the unfolding global humanitarian crisis. "In this challenging time, India has supplied food grains to many countries in need. We have dispatched about 35,000 tonnes of wheat as humanitarian aid to Afghanistan in the last few months. And even after the heavy earthquake there, India was the first country to deliver relief materials. We are also helping our neighbour Sri Lanka to ensure food security, " PM Modi stated
In his address, PM Modi also suggested a list of following focus areas, that can help in ensuring food security. This included the need to focus on the availability of fertilisers and keeping the value chains of fertilizers smooth at a global scale. "We are trying to increase the production of fertilizers in India and seek cooperation from G7-countries in this regard," said PM Modi.
Stressing further on the importance of having a structured system to gain maximum out of the Indian agricultural talent, he said, "India has immense agricultural manpower compared to the countries of the G7. Indian agricultural skills have helped give new life to traditional agricultural products like cheese and olive in some of the countries of the G7. Can the G7 create a structured system for the widespread use of Indian agricultural talent in its member countries? With the help of traditional talent of India's farmers, food security will be ensured to G7 countries." Importance of using millets as a nutritious alternative and natural farming was also highlighted by the Prime Minister.
Prime Minister Modi also emphasised that India’s approach had transitioned from ‘women’s development’ to ‘women-led development'. Sharing about the enhanced contribution, representation and regeared role of women in India, PM Modi said, "More than 6 million Indian women frontline workers kept our citizens safe during the pandemic. Our women scientists made a big contribution in developing vaccines and test kits in India. More than one million female volunteers in India are active in providing rural health, whom we call 'ASHA workers'. Just last month, the World Health Organization honoured these Indian ASHA workers with its '2022 Global Leaders Award'."
PM Modi ended his note reminding the gathering about India being the next chair of the G20. "Next year, India is going to chair the G20. We will maintain close dialogue with G7-countries on other issues, including post-COVID recovery, under the G20 platform," asserted PM.