Date:01/05/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/05/01/stories/2008050160111200.htm

National

We will eat what we need, Minister tells Rice

New Delhi: Reacting to U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice’s statement that the world food crisis is a result of an “improvement in the diets of people in India and China,” Minister of State for External Affairs Anand Sharma, told reporters here on Wednesday that Indians would eat what they needed.

Mr. Sharma said:

“Ms. Rice has a different perception about India. It’s a painful reality that there is a global shortage and the scarcity has put pressure on poor countries like ours.

“The shortage has resulted in a sharp increase in food prices, worldwide. But in India it works the other way round. Besides climate change, one major factor in India is the diversion of food grains for bio-fuels.

“As far as India is concerned, our people will eat what they need and it is the duty of the government to ensure adequate availability of food grains. The country should export only when it has much in excess than its own people’s demands”

Addressing the Peace Corps 2008 Country Directors Conference in Washington, Ms. Rice had said the improving diets of the people in India and China were forcing other countries to keep their food supplies within the limits of their geographical boundaries. — ANI