In a development signaling strained diplomatic relations, Thailand has decided to recall its Ambassador to the World Trade Organization (WTO) following a sharp rebuke from India over remarks regarding New Delhi's rice procurement program.
Media reports indicate that the decision comes in response to India's strong protest against the contentious comments made by the Thai Ambassador during a recent WTO meeting.
Pimchanok Vonkorpon Pitfield, Thailand's Ambassador to the WTO, has been instructed to return to Thailand following the ongoing 13th ministerial conference (MC), currently in its fifth day of discussions. Pitfield is expected to be replaced by the Thai foreign secretary.
The diplomatic row erupted after Pitfield's remarks during a consultation meeting on Tuesday, where she criticized India's rice procurement program at the Minimum Support Price (MSP), alleging that it was being utilized not for the benefit of Indian citizens but to gain an edge in the global export market.
India expressed its disappointment and lodged a formal complaint against the Thai Ambassador's comments.
India conveyed its discontent directly to the Thai government and expressed dissatisfaction with the leadership of WTO chief Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.
As tensions mounted, Indian delegates at the WTO meeting reportedly abstained from participating in certain group discussions in the presence of the Thai representative.
Both India and Thailand are significant players in the global rice trade. However, concerns have been raised by certain developed and developing nations about India's public stockholding policies, particularly regarding rice, alleging distortion of global market prices.
India, which held the title of the world's largest rice exporting country from 2018 to 2022, imposed restrictions on the export of broken and non-basmati white rice in 2023 due to various factors including uncertainties in rice production, geopolitical considerations, and extreme weather conditions.
These measures were aimed to stabilize domestic prices and ensure an adequate supply in the Indian market.
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