Pakistan has secured a legal victory in Australia in a long-running dispute over the Basmati rice name. The Federal Court of Australia has dismissed an appeal filed by India’s Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), supporting Pakistan’s position in the case.
The dispute concerns India’s attempt to claim exclusive rights over the word “Basmati.” Pakistan has argued that Basmati is a geographical indication linked to rice produced in both countries and that the name should not be treated as belonging exclusively to India.
The Australian court’s latest decision rejected APEDA’s appeal and also ordered the Indian authority to pay the respondent’s legal costs. The decision is important for Pakistan’s rice exporters because Basmati is a major export product and its name carries strong value in international markets.
Pakistan has also been working to secure legal protection for Basmati in other markets. The European Union has formally published Pakistan’s application for registration of “Basmati” as a Protected Geographical Indication, covering rice produced in specified areas of Pakistan.
