The Indian Agricultural Research Institute has accused Pakistani rice farmers of illegally cultivating, showcasing and selling superior-quality, Indian strains of basmati rice on Pakistani soil. This follows a long-standing conflict between India and Pakistan on the origins and export of the fragrant food grain
The latest addition to the long list of diplomatic crises between South Asia’s nuclear-powered neighbours is an unlikely one, unearthed from Pakistani YouTube videos.
Basmati rice, a highly coveted, fragrant, long-grained variety of rice used predominantly in popular Indian dishes like biryani and pulao, has emerged as a bone of contention between India and Pakistan, in light of the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) alleging the “illegal” cultivation and sale of its superior strains on Pakistani soil.
Basmati rice, a highly coveted, fragrant, long-grained variety of rice used predominantly in popular Indian dishes like biryani and pulao, has emerged as a bone of contention between India and Pakistan, in light of the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) alleging the “illegal” cultivation and sale of its superior strains on Pakistani soil.