Global Rice News

Pakistan’s Application for Basmati Rice GI Tag Creates Inconsistencies and Challenges

The European Commission (EC) has recently published Pakistan’s application for a Geographical Indication (GI) tag for its basmati rice. This development has raised several concerns and conflicts with India, potentially strengthening India’s case. There are inconsistencies and issues in Islamabad’s application that could even affect India’s ongoing free trade agreement (FTA) talks with the European Union.

According to experts, the document prepared by the EC based on Pakistan’s application represents a preliminary view. However, it questions India’s sovereignty by showing Indian territories as part of Pakistan. This could pose a significant hurdle in the FTA negotiations.

Problems with Pakistan’s Application

Pakistan’s application faces several problems, including a vague description of the product, a lack of concise definition of the geographical area where basmati rice is grown, conflicts of interest with India’s Pusa-1121 variety, environmental factors, and historical origin and reputation.

According to GI expert S Chandrasekaran, the EC document reveals a difference in approach and integrity of the growing area. The document emphasizes India’s authenticity as the true source of Basmati rice. It also highlights the conflict of interest between Pakistan’s PK1121 and India’s Pusa-1121.

The EC document acknowledges that Basmati is also grown in specific areas of India. The inclusion of Indian areas in the document published for Pakistan’s application is likely due to the fact that India submitted its application in 2018.

Contentious Reference to Jammu and Kashmir

A contentious part of Pakistan’s application is the reference to Jammu and Kashmir areas such as Mirupur, Bhimber, Poonch, and Bagh. This is seen as questioning India’s sovereignty and could be an obstacle in the India-EU FTA talks. The lack of environmental determinism in Pakistan’s application, particularly in areas adjacent to the Thar desert, further exposes its flaws.

Differences in Approach and Reputation

India and Pakistan have differing approaches to the roots of the word “Basmati.” The reputation of the word is also linked to language and its existence. Pakistan’s application loses ground in these aspects, according to the EC document.

Potential Setback for Pakistan

Pakistan’s application refers to contemporary literature that lacks historic reputation, which could be a major setback for their case. The differences between the Indian and Pakistan applications, particularly in climatic conditions, are notable. India focuses on solar radiation and day length, while Pakistan emphasizes temperature drop and clearer days from late September onwards.

These uneasy developments surrounding Pakistan’s application could have an impact on the fragrant Pusa-1509 rice, which might be at risk based on the conditions specified in the EC document.

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