India Might Exempt Africa From Rice Ban

Amid growing pressure from African nations, India might consider a proposal to exempt African countries from export bans on rice implemented by New Delhi to curb domestic food price inflation.

The move if implemented would also fit with India's growing diplomatic efforts to woo African nations and counter China's rising influence in the resource-rich continent.

Global food prices are expected to remain high over the next decade, spelling hardship for millions of the world's poorest, the United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organization and the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development said in a report last week.