The Islamabad institute moots engaging Nepal and Bangladesh by Pakistan on curbing India’s GI claims BY SUBRAMANI RA MANCOMBU White basmati rice on vane and in the clay bowl on the light wooden background | Photo Credit: bonnynord If the European Union (EU) gives the Geographical Indication (GI) for Indian basmati rice, Pakistan exports can considerably be hampered, says a policy brief prepared by the Islamabad Policy Research Institute (IPRI). “Pakistan needs to actively engage other countries such as Nepal and Bangladesh based on the mutual interest of restricting India from claiming GI for those products which are generally considered the common heritage of the Indian Subcontinent,” said the paper “Basmati Rice and Geographical Indications: Options for Pakistan” prepared by Muhammad Shahzeb Usman. Among the recommendations made are that Pakistan must fight legal battles in any country where India seeks GI tag for its basmati even if Islamabad has less market share.
This will help Pakistan to fill the gap in that country in case of shortage of Indian rice. The policy brief assumes significance in the wake of India and the EC holding six rounds of negotiations till now on arriving at a bilateral agreement on the GI tags issue and the EU republishing Pakistan’s application for GI tag to its basmati rice under a new clause. These developments have left India with the advantage of getting the GI tag for basmati rice and gaining $500 million market share.
Stating tha.