Sharma stresses on food, energy security

Mumbai, May 8 (UNI) Stressing the need for concentrating more on food and energy security, Union Minister of State for External Affairs Anand Sharma today said the two issues, besides health and environment, are the challenges before the country.

Speaking at a function, organised by Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industries, here, the Minister said research was required for uncommon energy sources in the backdrop of soaring oil prices.

''Bio-fuels have to be judiciously identified without diverting from food,'' he said.

Speaking about food, Mr Sharma expressed optimism that inflation would come down soon.

Economic and food security had a clear linkage, he observed.

Calling for not undermining the economic globalisation, the Minister iterated that India was talking with various countries, including European Union, for free trade agrement and other issues.

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