Now Reading: China revokes 7 Indian rice exporters’ licences over GM claim
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China revokes 7 Indian rice exporters’ licences over GM claim
Rice trade between India and China has come to a halt after Beijing revoked the registrations of seven Indian rice exporters, alleging the presence of genetically modified organisms. The General Administration of…
The Story in Brief
Rice trade between India and China has come to a halt after Beijing revoked the registrations of seven Indian rice exporters, alleging the presence of genetically modified organisms. The General Administration of Customs of China (GACC) also banned three exporters it had suspended earlier this year. The affected companies are based in Chhattisgarh, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, The Hindu BusinessLine reports.
Indian officials, traders and analysts called the move questionable, noting a Chinese agency clears pre-shipment consignments before loading. India does not grow any GM crops, and New Delhi has told Beijing this. Until end-May, China rejected at least 70 non-basmati rice consignments. The Rice Exporters Association of Chhattisgarh has asked APEDA to take up the issue. In 2025-26, India exported 21.56 million tonnes of rice worth $11.53 billion.
The Indian Opinion
China's move looks like protectionism dressed as science. It cleared the very consignments it later rejected, and India grows no GM paddy. New Delhi should not stay silent while Beijing builds a narrative that could hurt Indian rice exports to the EU and others. A quiet test to watch: whether China offers a real testing method, or keeps rejecting shipments. If it cannot show its methodology, the world will see this for what it is.
Source: thehindubusinessline.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the source linked above.
