Synopsis

India has refuted Pakistan’s claims that New Zealand and Australia have recognized basmati rice as a Pakistani product. Indian officials clarified that India holds logo mark registration in New Zealand, while Pakistan does not have any registrations in either New Zealand or Australia, where applications are still under consideration.

India has rebutted reports from Pakistan which claim that New Zealand and Australia have officially recognised basmati rice as a Pakistani product. Officials said that India already holds a logo mark registration in New Zealand for basmati rice while Pakistan has no such registration.

“Reports claimed that Pakistan has won basmati rice ownership claims against India. This is not true,” said an official. The Agricultural and Processed Food Exports Development Authority is engaged in the protection and prosecution of its basmati name and logo certification trademark applications in these jurisdictions.

As for the remaining applications filed by APEDA in New Zealand and Australia, these are still under consideration of the tribunals in these countries. It is also notable that no registrations have been granted to Pakistan till date in either of these countries.

Published Date: February 16, 2025