Why India losing exclusive rights to Basmati rice is significant

India Nov 08, 2025

India just faced a setback: courts in both New Zealand and Kenya have rejected its push to claim exclusive rights over Basmati rice.
The main reason? Basmati isn't only grown in India—Pakistan also produces it.
These rulings make it tougher for India to control how the name "Basmati" is used worldwide.

Why this matters

If you care about food origins or global trade, this is big.
It shows how hard it is for any country to lock down international rights on something as popular (and widely grown) as Basmati rice.
For India, it's a reminder that winning these battles abroad isn't easy—even after years of trying.