Another dispute was added by another, India and Pakistan dispersed rice

Another many years of disputes between India and Pakistan have been added this year. The common culinary history of both countries is defined by basmati rice. And it was this long-grain rice that became the new apple of contention between ancient rivals. Indeed, India applied for an exclusive trade mark which would guarantee it exclusive ownership of the title of basmati in the European Union (EU). It has thus provoked a dispute that could deal a severe blow to Pakistan's position in an important export market - the EU. "It's like dropping an atomic bomb on us," said Ghulam Murtaza, co-owner of rice mills near Lahore, Pakistan's second largest city. Pakistan immediately opposed India's move to obtain a Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) from the European Commission for its basmati rice. India is the largest exporter of rice in the world. Its annual export earnings are about $ 6.8 billion (€ 5.61 billion), according to the United Nations. Pakistan ranks fourth with $ 2.2 billion in rice exports. Both countries are the only global exporters of basmati. From Karachi to Calcutta, basmati is the basis of the daily diet of the people of South Asia. Served with spicy meat or vegetable curry, it is the star of an infinitely variety of dishes at weddings and celebrations in both countries, which split after independence from British colonial rule in 1947. Since then, they have fought a total of three wars, with the last skirmish in 2019 including cross-border air raids, the first in almost 50 years. Diplomatic relations between them have been tense for decades, and the two countries are routinely insulting each other on the international stage. Pakistan has increased its basmati exports to the EU over the past three years, taking advantage of India's difficulties in meeting stricter European pesticide standards. According to the European Commission, it now covers two-thirds of the region's annual basmati consumption of around 300,000 tonnes. "This is a very, very important market for us," warned the Pakistan Rice Exporters Association, which says Pakistan's basmati is more organic and "better".