Basmati battle: Australian court rejects India’s plea as Pakistan secures major legal win

In a significant legal victory for Pakistan's Basmati rice industry, an Australian court has rejected India's appeal to monopolize the Basmati name, according to a statement from the Ministry of Commerce. The Federal Court of Australia dismissed the appeal filed by India's Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), affirming Pakistan's long-standing claim that Basmati is a geographical indication originating from areas in both India and Pakistan.

The court ordered APEDA to pay the respondent's legal costs. The Ministry of Commerce welcomed the decision, stating that it vindicates Pakistan's position on the matter. APEDA had sought to register the term "Basmati" as a certification trade mark for rice in Australia, but their application was rejected in December 2022 due to the lack of distinction in the rice produced by APEDA from that legitimately produced by other traders.

The Federal Court's ruling upheld the earlier decision acknowledging that Pakistani traders have a valid claim to use the term "Basmati." This outcome safeguards the commercial and intellectual-property interests of Pakistan's Basmati growers, millers, and exporters, allowing them to market authentic Pakistani Basmati in Australia.

The Ministry of Commerce has consistently opposed Indian efforts to claim exclusive rights over the Basmati name, and it will continue to protect Pakistan's Basmati heritage and export identity. The Minister for Commerce, Jam Kamal, hailed the Ministry of Commerce team's efforts and termed the outcome as a significant achievement for Pakistan's agricultural heritage, commercial interests, and export identity.