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Indian Express
28 minutes ago
- Indian Express
India unlikely to import US genetically modified agricultural items under trade deal: Sources
During the ongoing trade negotiations, India is unlikely to agree to US demands to accept genetically modified (GM) agricultural products such as corn and soya, a source closely monitoring the talks has indicated. 'Some things are matters of principle. We can't import GM,' the source said in response to a query over the government's position on GM imports from the US. This assumes significance since agriculture remains one of the contentious issues between the two countries, and the United States Trade Representative (USTR) has previously flagged restrictions on its GM products by countries as discriminatory. 'The Food Safety and Standards Act of 2006 includes specific provisions for regulating food products derived from genetically engineered (GE) sources; however, as of December 31, 2024, the FSSAI was still in the process of establishing its regulations. India's biotechnology approval processes are slow, opaque, and subject to political influences, and do not appear to take into account science-based approval processes for GE products in exporting countries,' the USTR report had said. While India is seeking greater market access for its textiles, leather and footwear, the US is pushing for access to India's agricultural and dairy markets — a major hurdle, as Indian farmers often operate on small land parcels with limited technological support. In contrast, the US has demanded that India should drop its GM regulation. There is significant resistance to genetically modified (GM) crops in India. Only one GM crop — Bt cotton — is approved for cultivation. No GM food crop is commercially grown, although experimental trials continue. However, imports of GM soybean oil and canola oil are permitted. A 2013 report by the European Network of Scientists for Social and Environmental Responsibility (ENSSER) emphasised that many studies deeming GM foods safe were industry-funded, and that long‑term, independent studies were lacking. New Delhi‑based think tank GTRI said: 'Environmental studies have shown that widespread use of Bt crops can lead to pest resistance, such as in the pink bollworm, and pose risks to non‑target species such as monarch butterflies, as suggested in a 1999 Nature study. Additionally, the overuse of glyphosate with herbicide-tolerant GM crops has led to 'superweeds' and increased herbicide use.' The GTRI said that GM and non‑GM crops may intermingle at various stages of the supply chain — during transport, storage or processing. 'Once GM material enters, there is a high risk it could leak into local farming systems or processed food chains, posing risks to food safety, environmental integrity, and India's export reputation — especially in GM‑sensitive markets such as the EU,' the think tank warned. It said the import of GM products, such as animal feed, could negatively affect India's agricultural exports to the EU, which enforces strict GM-labelling rules and faces strong consumer opposition to GM‑linked products. Although GM feed is permitted, many European buyers prefer fully GM‑free supply chains. India's fragmented agri‑logistics and lack of segregation infrastructure increase the likelihood of cross‑contamination and trace GM presence in export consignments. This could result in shipment rejections, higher testing costs, and erosion of India's GM‑free image, particularly in sectors such as rice, tea, honey, spices and organic foods, the GTRI said. Ravi Dutta Mishra is a Principal Correspondent with The Indian Express, covering policy issues related to trade, commerce, and banking. He has over five years of experience and has previously worked with Mint, CNBC-TV18, and other news outlets. ... Read More
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Maintaining sustained growth top priority, says FM Sitharaman
New Delhi: Maintaining sustained growth is the top priority amid global uncertainties, and an incremental rise in public capital expenditure is one of the drivers for economic development, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on Saturday. The statement assumes significance as the Indian economy grew by 6.5 per cent in FY25. This growth was the slowest in four years, and compares to a 9.2 per cent expansion in the previous 2023-24 fiscal. The Economic Survey has projected the GDP growth for FY26 between 6.3 per cent and 6.8 per cent, while the RBI lowered its growth forecast from an earlier level of 6.7 per cent to 6.5 per cent for the ongoing financial year. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Only Classless Women Wear these Over a Certain Age Learn More Undo Speaking at a book release event here, Sitharaman said, "To maintain the growth is the topmost priority. Growth is the topmost, and therefore, it will have an overlap with how you create jobs..." Keeping India relevant amid global challenges and being there in a leadership position, and moving forward along with other countries are other priority areas, she said, adding that the priority would also be to redefine the voice of the Global South. Live Events Finding resources for meeting many domestic economic aspirations within fiscal constraints is another priority, she said while releasing the book titled 'A World in Flux: India's Economic Priorities'. She further said the incremental rise in public capital expenditure is one of the primary drivers of sustained economic growth. "Public investments have kept pace. It has been Prime Minister Narendra Modi's clear instruction that we have to have capital expenditure grow and grow significantly. I confidently believe that it is one of the primary drivers of sustained economic growth," she said. The other focus area of the government is to push growth through a friendly and attractive FDI policy to be able to get more and more investments happening in India. Besides, she said, the healthy competition among states to attract investment is also a good sign. Speaking about bilateral trade deals, the finance minister said such agreements are taking priority over multilateral trade. "On the bilateral trade front, we are moving forward and we have seen bilateral agreements being signed in the last four to five years with Australia, UAE and the UK. Negotiations are progressing well with the United States as well as the European Union," she said. Asked about relations with China, Sitharaman said it is getting a bit better, and the beginning has been made with the visit of the External Affairs Minister recently. "We need more access, and we need to have a lot more interaction, and possibly open some windows. And that's not just from our side, even the Chinese have been approaching through the MEA. "So, you had External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar go. There is something, some kind of a beginning, as to how much it will take us far; how far it will go is something we will have to wait and see. It might help the economy; however, a sense of caution would have to be built in," she added.
Hans India
an hour ago
- Hans India
Maldives President Muizzu hails ties with India, calls PM Modi 'wonderful person'
Male: Hailing ties with India, Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu on Saturday lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi's landmark two-day visit to the country, asserting that it has given a major boost to the bilateral ties between the two neighbours. Speaking with the Indian media after the Maldives Independence Day celebrations where PM Modi was the 'Guest of Honour', the Maldivian President said, "India is one of the major countries that helps the Maldives with tourism. Definitely with the Prime Minister's visit, it is going to increase a lot. I am sure people-to-people exchanges between the two countries will also increase because of this visit." Muizzu also called PM Modi a "wonderful" person, expressing appreciation for the efforts that the Indian leader has made over the last 11 years to put India-Maldives relations on a new trajectory. "He's a wonderful person who is very fond of building the relationship between neighbours. The Maldives and India have a very good relationship that goes back centuries. With his leadership and the cooperation between our two countries, between the two governments, I'm sure it's going to be even more prosperous in the days ahead," he mentioned. He also talked about the agreements signed between both countries during PM Modi's two-day visit, affirming that they will help Maldives to move forward. Later, taking to X, Muizzu wrote, "I extend heartfelt thanks to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his State Visit to the Maldives. We held fruitful discussions, witnessed the exchange of four MoUs and three agreements in vital areas, and announced the launch of FTA negotiations." "Together, we celebrated the Maldives' 60th Independence Day, released a commemorative stamp marking 60 years of formal ties, and inaugurated key development projects under Indian assistance," he added. Thoriq Ibrahim, Minister of Tourism and Environment of Maldives, also told IANS that the Indian Ocean archepalego's connectivity to the world will expand tremendously after the opening of the new terminal at the Velana airport in Hulhule Island. "Last year, we received two million tourists, and our target for this year is 2.3 million. We hope to welcome 200,000 tourists from India alone. With the completion and opening of the new terminal at Velana International Airport, we expect greater connectivity across the world, including India," he said. Earlier in the day, PM Modi attended the Independence Day celebrations of Maldives as the 'Guest of Honour' at Republic Square in Male along with the President of Maldives and First Lady Sajidha Mohamed. PM Modi also held several significant meetings with members of several political parties of the Maldives. He noted that the participation of leaders across the political spectrum emphasises the bipartisan support for the "strong and time-tested friendship" between the two nations. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and other officials were also present during these meetings.
