Now Reading: India rules out sugar import from Pakistan despite duty-free window
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India rules out sugar import from Pakistan despite duty-free window
India will not import sugar from Pakistan despite its decision to allow duty-free imports of raw sugar to boost domestic supplies. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said on Friday that existing…
India will not import sugar from Pakistan despite its decision to allow duty-free imports of raw sugar to boost domestic supplies. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said on Friday that existing trade restrictions with Islamabad will continue. New Delhi placed a blanket ban on all imports from Pakistan in May 2025 after the Pahalgam terror attack.
The government has allowed duty-free imports of 10 lakh tonnes of raw sugar to address rising prices and tightening supplies. A source said India has enough options in the global market and does not need to source from Pakistan. Pakistan had floated a global tender to sell 1.05 lakh tonnes of sugar, and its industry had urged the government to explore exports to India.
Experts say the imported sugar will help check retail prices within days. The landing cost of raw sugar is Rs45 per kg, with white sugar costing about Rs52 per kg after refining. Sugar prices in Maharashtra ranged from Rs59 to Rs68 per kg on Friday, up Rs1-2 per kg from the previous day. Farmers' leader Raju Shetti alleged mills are hoarding sugar, while Maharashtra minister Hasan Mushrif said there is no stock left due to a short crushing season and global supply issues.
Indian Opinion Analysis
The Hindu Business Line led with the diplomatic rejection of Pakistan as a source, while Times of India focused on domestic price impact and market dynamics. The pro-government framing in Business Line emphasises national security and self-sufficiency. Times of India gave space to both a farmers' leader alleging hoarding and a minister denying shortages. A careful reader should note that both sources agree the duty-free window is open to all global suppliers except Pakistan, and that the immediate price effect has not yet materialised. Watch retail sugar prices over the next week for the actual impact of the import decision.
Coverage: 2 sources, 1 pro-government, 1 neutral
Sources (2): thehindubusinessline.com (pro government), timesofindia.indiatimes.com (neutral report)
This story was synthesised by AI from the 2 sources linked above.
Updated: this story now draws on 2 sources.
