Pakistan is planning to take legal action against the Indian government for illegally announcing Super Basmati rice as an Indian product.
Newspapers quoting a senior Pakistan's government official said India wants to increase Super Basmati's exports to European Union by declaring as an Indian product and we would contend this move.
"We will fight for our right. Trading Corporation of Pakistan and Rice Export Association of Pakistan will represent Pakistan in India to proceed with the case in an Indian court," the official said.
"A lawyer has been hired in Delhi and as per his suggestion, we would send a notice to Indian government before filing the case in the Delhi High Court or the Supreme Court of India," official added.
The official said it is crystal clear that under the Geographical Indication, the Super Basmati rice is the product of Pakistan. "It is the total failure of Pakistan's trade and economic managers that New Delhi managed to deceive Islamabad by getting Super Basmati registered based on Geographical Indication," he said.
He further alleged that by this act India was intending to divest Pakistan from exporting Super Basmati rice to the European Union, the world' largest market.
The European Union block of 27 countries recently imposed a condition for other countries that in order to exporting food items to EU, traders should need a registration based on GI.
This registration will establish that the exported item belongs to that particular country.
In the case of Super Basmati rice, Pakistan failed to register in EU and India who first showed interest to register Super Basmati in EU along with Pakistan based on GI.
Later India unilaterally registered it in EU, divesting Pakistan from exporting the Super Basmati to European Union countries.
Basmati rice is primarily cultivated in India and Pakistan. The Himalayan foothills are said to produce the best basmati. The Super Basmati, a premium variety from Pakistan and Dehradun from India, are the most prized of the basmati varieties.
India is the largest producer and exporter of basmati rice in the world. The annual production in the country hovers at around 10-15 lakh ton a year, of which around two-thirds is exported. The remaining is consumed, within the country.
Pakistani exporters blamed Islamabad's failure to timely contest Indian registration of super basmati for export nine months ago as the main reason for the latest problem on exports.
