After strong opposition from India, Thailand removed its ambassador to WTO, know what is the matter

Thailand has removed its Ambassador to the World Trade Organization (WTO) Pimchanok Wonkorpon Pitfield following India's strong objection to her controversial remarks regarding India's rice procurement programme. India protested remarks by the Thai ambassador to the WTO in which he accused India of using subsidized rice purchased for the public distribution system to capture the export market. According to the source, the Thai Ambassador has been replaced. It has also been revealed that Pitfield will be replaced by the Foreign Secretary of Thailand. Pitfield has been asked to return to Thailand from the WTO's 13th Ministerial Conference (MC-13), which has entered its fifth day.

Pitfield had alleged that India's rice procurement program at Minimum Support Price (MSP) for the public distribution system was not for the people but to capture the export market. India is buying rice at cheaper rates for the public distribution system and selling it in the international rice export market. Subsequently, India formally lodged its protest with the Thai government and also expressed its displeasure to WTO chief Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala. After registering their protest on the issue, Indian interlocutors also refused to participate in the deliberations in some groups where Thai representatives were present.

The government purchases only 40 per cent of the paddy produce to meet food security commitments, the official said. The remaining portion is not purchased by government-owned agencies and is exported from India at market prices. India has banned the export of broken rice from September 2022 and non-Basmati white rice from July 2023 given domestic requirements. Export of Basmati and parboiled non-Basmati rice continues.