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Basmati issue: legal battle with Pakistan likely

NEW DELHI: Ruling out resumption of normal trade with Pakistan till those guilty of 26/11 attack were brought to book, Minister of State for Commerce and Power Jairam Ramesh said that India was ready to take on Pakistan in the “legal battle” for the IPR of premium rice Basmati that has now got backing of the Indian lawmakers.

Mr. Ramesh said that Agriculture and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) would soon file a case to contest the claim of Rice Growers’ Association of Lahore claiming patent over Basmati rice. India’s case had run into legal hurdles as the APEDA did not have any statutory backing to contest the case. “We will now be applying to the European Union for grant of Geographical Identification (GI) for Basmati. We hope to achieve success in Pakistan as we have a very strong case,” he added. Mr. Ramesh said all the trade-related negotiations with the neighbouring country had been put on hold. “The negotiations for having a joint registration of Basmati under Geographical Indications with Pakistan have also been put on the hold,” he added. On the issue of cooperation with Pakistan, Mr. Ramesh said that although negotiations had been held as late as November last to have a joint GI for basmati, things had not moved after that due to the Mumbai terror attacks.

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