Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi Friday called on the United States to understand the urgent need for food security in poverty-stricken countries like India, said an Indian government statement.
As the United States was blaming India for the failure to adopt the Trade Facilitation Treaty at the WTO talks in Geneva, Modi told visiting U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker that developed countries should " understand" the challenges of poverty in developing nations and their governments' responsibilities to address them.
"Prime minister emphasized the need for developed countries to understand the challenges of poverty in developing countries and their governments' responsibilities in addressing them when discussions take place in international forums," a Prime Ministry Office statement said.
India has taken a tough stance on the issue of foodgrain holding and food subsidy at the WTO talks in Geneva Friday night and refused to sign the Trade Facilitation Treaty.
Indian External Affairs Ministry Spokesman Syed Akbaruddin said Modi explained India's requirement of ensuring that food security is provided for a "significant" number of people because of the circumstances in which the country is.
The United States has expressed disappointment over India's refusal to endorse the new WTO treaty, saying it will damage the image of the new Indian government thought to be open to outward cooperation.
