ARTICLE 2 #India Agri Updates

Kicking off the M.S. Swaminathan centenary commemorations, Prime Minister Narendra Modi vowed to protect the interest of the Indian farmer, fishing and dairying communities, whatever the risks or costs, and whatever price he might have to pay for it personally. The question: what is the price he and the country may have to pay?People of India value their sovereignty over any personal comfort or worldly needs. They will stoically absorb even short-term loss of jobs for national self-respect. Think of shrimp farmers, basmati and spices growers, carpet weavers, hosiery workers, and artisans mostly in Gujarat cutting diamonds, gems and fitting them into gold jewellery, all hit by 50 percent tariffs.

Both countries, the world’s top producers of basmati, seek exclusive rights to use the label, claiming geographic and cultural ties to its origin. India, having waited seven years for EU approval of its geographic indication (GI) application, is pressuring the EU to recognize its claim, while Pakistan’s rival application includes regions in Pakistan‑administered Kashmir—territory claimed by India—making the issue highly sensitive.