'Indo-Pak spat not to hit Basmati exports'

India does not have to fear about any threat from Pakistan as far as Basmati rice export is concerned. The ongoing tussle between Indian and Pakistan over patenting of super Basmati rice will, in no way, will not hamper India's export potential, said Veetee Fine Foods Ltd CEO Aayushman Gupta in Kolkata.

Addressing meadiapersons, Gupta said, "India's Basmati export is double the quantity of Pakistan. India has no reason to worry about this matter.''

Pakistan has recently accused India of deceiving it by patenting the super variety Basmati rice on the basis of Geographical Indicator and threatened to file a case in the court.

Trading Corporation of Pakistan & Rice Export Association of Pakistan will now represent the petitioners in India.

Leaders of the rice exporters associations of both the countries would meet in New Delhi on July 18 to discuss the prospects of a joint registration and a joint export strategy of it.

Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan intends to resolve the difference between the two countries over Super Basmati

registration based on GI.

When asked about the status of GI applied by India, Gupta said, "GI status will not have any impact on exports".

India has made renewed attempts to get registered as a Geographical Indication, under the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act.

In another development, rice exporters are planning to rope in Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan to promote Basmati rice.

The super star is being sought by rice exporters to promote Basmati rice, but the government has raised objections over the global Basmati promotion campaign.

Upset over objections raised by the government on their Rs 21-crore (Rs 210-million) proposal to launch the campaign featuring SRK, rice exporters will present their case before the commerce ministry.

The AIREA along with the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority had finalised the campaign to be executed by Grey Worldwide and Crayon Advertising. It was to be financed by the Basmati Development Fund, which is created by contributions from exporters.