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TMI BlogThe tussle over Geographical Indication (GI) tag for Basmati rice between India and Pakistan.X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... The tussle over Geographical Indication (GI) tag for Basmati rice between India and Pakistan. X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... a Geographical Indication (GI)? A Geographical Indication (GI) is a sign used on products that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities or a reputation due to that origin. GIs are a form of intellectual property that helps preserve regional traditions, supports local economies, and protects consumers from misleading products. For example, just as Champagne must come from the Champagne region of France, Darjeeling Tea must come from Darjeeling in India. Background of the Basmati GI Dispute: Basmati rice is a premium variety that has been cultivated in the Indian subcontinent for centuries, with distinct characteristics such as its fragrance, long grain, and fluffy texture. India and Pakistan both have deep historical conn ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... ections to Basmati rice cultivation, with both countries claiming it as part of their agricultural heritage. Table 1 Sr. No India's Position Pakistan's Position 1 India has traditionally been the largest producer and exporter of Basmati rice. It considers Basmati rice as a key part of its agricultural and cultural identity, especially in states like Haryana, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand, where the cultivation of Basmati rice is a centuries-old tradition. India argues that Basmati rice is closely linked to its geographic region, its cultivation practices, and its local communities. As such, India applied for and successfully obtained the GI tag for Basmati rice in 2016 for specific regions within India. Pakistan, particul ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... arly from regions such as Punjab, also produces high-quality Basmati rice and has been cultivating it for centuries. Pakistan is concerned that India's GI tag on Basmati rice would restrict Pakistan's ability to market its own Basmati rice, which is similar in quality and characteristics. Pakistan argues that both India and Pakistan have shared historical and agricultural practices for Basmati rice, and the GI tag should be awarded to both countries jointly, rather than just India. Key Points in the Dispute: * India's GI Tag Grant: In 2016, India sought and was granted a Geographical Indication (GI) tag for Basmati rice, but it was limited to specific regions in India. This GI tag recognized the distinctive qualities of Basmati r ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... ice that are tied to the Indian subcontinent, specifically the Himalayan foothills. India's GI registration excluded Pakistan from receiving the same GI tag for Basmati rice. * Pakistan's Response: Pakistan has contested India's exclusive claim to the GI tag, arguing that the rice has been grown and developed over centuries on both sides of the Indus River and Punjab region, which spans both India and Pakistan. Pakistan views the GI tag awarded to India as an infringement on its own historical and agricultural rights to Basmati rice. They have proposed that the GI tag should be jointly held by both countries or at least recognize the rice's shared geographical origin. * The International Dimension: Pakistan took the issue to the Wor ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... ld Trade Organization (WTO), seeking a resolution over the GI tag and claiming that India's registration violates its rights to the name. However, India continues to defend its position by emphasizing that Basmati rice's association with its specific regions, agricultural practices, and cultural heritage warrants exclusive GI protection. * The Impact of the GI Tag: A GI tag offers significant commercial advantages, as it helps protect the product's authenticity, prevents counterfeiting, and adds value to the product in international markets. It is particularly important for exporting Basmati rice to premium markets like Europe, the United States, and the Middle East, where authenticity and quality are highly valued. If Pakistan were t ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... o be excluded from the GI tag, it could potentially impact its export market, while India would gain a competitive edge in promoting its Basmati rice as the only authentic variety. * India's Concerns: India is wary of Pakistan's objections and sees this as a matter of cultural and economic significance. For India, protecting the GI tag means safeguarding the century's old cultivation practices and ensuring that only rice grown in certain regions can be marketed as authentic Basmati. This is seen as essential for promoting India's agricultural economy and protecting the livelihoods of the farmers involved in Basmati rice cultivation. The Role of the GI Tag in Protecting Basmati Rice: * Protecting Authenticity: The GI tag for Basmati ric ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... e ensures that only rice from specific regions in India can be labeled and sold as Basmati, preventing other countries or producers from capitalizing on the reputation of Basmati rice without producing it in the defined region. * Economic Benefits: With the GI tag, the product is protected from misuse and fraudulent claims, which strengthens its market value. This is particularly relevant for exporters, as it helps them differentiate their product in global markets and adds prestige. * Cultural Heritage: Basmati rice is also a product of cultural significance, intertwined with regional agricultural practices. The GI tag helps preserve the cultural and traditional aspects of rice cultivation in India. Current Status and Possible Outcome ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... s: As of now, India holds the exclusive GI tag for Basmati rice in specific regions, while Pakistan is still in the process of challenging this decision. Several rounds of discussions and legal proceedings have taken place, including at the WTO, but the dispute remains unresolved. In the meantime, both countries continue to cultivate and export Basmati rice, but the GI tag has given India a legal edge in marketing and selling its Basmati rice as a premium product. Possible outcomes include: * Joint GI Registration: There could be a compromise where both India and Pakistan receive shared rights to the GI tag, acknowledging the shared heritage of Basmati rice cultivation. * Separate GI Registrations: India might continue to hold the exc ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... lusive GI registration for its regions, while Pakistan may have to find a way to protect its Basmati rice under a different framework. * No GI Protection for Pakistan: If the dispute remains unresolved, Pakistan may struggle to protect its Basmati rice under the GI framework, leading to challenges in marketing its rice internationally under the "Basmati" name. News Print/Media Coverage on this tussle: * https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/International-relations/India-Pakistan-battle-for-basmati-rice-turns-acrimonious * https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-economics/pakistan-piracy-indian-basmati-rice-9230794/ * https://www.lemonde.fr/en/economy/article/2024/02/26/the-basmati-rice-war-between-india-and-pakis ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... tan_6558917_19.html * https://intellectual-property-helpdesk.ec.europa.eu/news-events/news/india-pakistan-basmati-dispute-dismissed-delhi-high-court-2023-12-01_en * https://www.sriramsias.com/upsc-daily-current-affairs/basmati-rice-dispute-between-india-and-pakistan/ Conclusion: The Basmati rice GI dispute between India and Pakistan highlights the intersection of cultural heritage, agriculture, intellectual property, and international trade. While India has successfully secured the GI tag, the conflict over its exclusivity remains a sensitive issue between the two countries. The outcome of this dispute could have significant economic, cultural, and legal implications for both nations and the future of agricultural GI protections in th ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... e region. X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X
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