Pakistan has achieved a major victory in the global dispute over Basmati rice, as India has faced defeat. New Zealand and Australia have officially recognized Basmati as a Pakistani product, and the European Union is also expected to rule in Pakistan’s favor.
India’s attempts to challenge Pakistan’s claim on Basmati rice have failed, with international trade experts and historians confirming that Basmati originates from Pakistan’s Hafizabad district.
Both Australia and New Zealand rejected India’s claims, and the EU is likely to do the same soon.
Pakistan’s Basmati rice is known for its superior aroma, quality, and competitive pricing.
The country’s Basmati exports have now reached $4 billion, making Pakistan a key player in the $27 billion global rice market.
Concerned about Pakistan’s growing exports, India has tried to take control of the Basmati trade, but its efforts have backfired.
Exporters, including Chaudhry Tanveer, argue that India does not produce authentic Basmati. Instead, Pakistan’s Basmati is sent to Dubai, where Indian traders rebrand it as their own before exporting it further.
Historical records further weaken India’s claims—data submitted to the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) shows that India did not export a single grain of Basmati before 1965, while Pakistan had already been exporting it to Europe and Gulf countries in the 1960s.
Trade expert Shams-ul-Islam explained that while the Pakistan-India Basmati dispute in the EU has faced delays, intellectual property laws protect the original producer.
He emphasized that India’s objections lack merit and that Pakistan rightfully deserves the geographical indication (GI) certification.
As geographical protection becomes increasingly important in global trade, securing exclusive rights to Basmati rice remains a key economic and strategic priority for Pakistan.
