India and Pakistan, according to a news report, seem to be on a common platform to mount a joint defence to prevent unauthorized use of the geographical indication ‘Basmati Rice’, a common heritage of the two countries. The two nations, the news report says, met for a talk on registering the Geographical Indication for Basmati rice in U.S. and Europe to prevent the geographical indication from unauthorized usage. The next round of talks of the Joint Working Group (JWG) on registering basmati as a GI is hoped to bring more uniformity of views. The present JWG meeting led to sharing of information on standards and on delimitation of basmati rice growing areas.

The present development shows positive signs for Basmati to be registered as a geographical indication. The two countries started consultations long time back to prepare a common strategy which was marred be several roadblocks. Lately, Pakistan’s refusal to offer of joint registration of basmati under the Geographical Indications Act led the Indian government to move ahead with empowering APEDA to undertake the GI registration process. Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) had offered to jointly register basmati under GI along with the Rice Exporters’ Association of Pakistan, which was rejected by the Pakistan government. Adding to the roadblocks was Pakistan’s grant of a trademark (TM) to Basmati Growers Association (BGA) while setting aside the opposition of APEDA.