New Delhi: Niti Aayog made a recent comeback of its working paper, which recommended genetically modified (GM) to open the import of soybean and corn, has given a glimpse in India’s red-line on transgenic foods.However, during its trade talks with India, the stand is considered as one of the non-tariff trade obstacles, India did not like to open its market for GM foods on bio-safety concerns, despite that its primary think tank argued in favor of transgenic soybeans and corn imports without damaging domestic production.Paper, who worked on ‘promoting India-US agricultural trade’ under the new American trade regime released in May, suggested that GM Corn could be imported for ethanol combination and its by-products, such as the distiller’s dried grain soluble. “US corn is cheaper and can be used to meet the goals of biofuels of India without disrupting local food and feed markets,” authors said – Raka Saxena and Ramesh Chand – of working paper. A few are members, Neeti Ayog, while Saxena Think Tank has a senior advisor.Although the paper used a disclaimer stated as the individual ideas of the authors to the material, its recent return from the website of the Think Tank reflects the government’s thinking on the issue of GM products. India currently allows commercial cultivation of transgenic cotton, a non-food form items.Govt’s stand is in sink with opposition to the cultivation and import of GM form products of RSS-affiliate Swadeshi Jaagaran Manch. In protest against transgenic foods, the SJM has joined hands with several left-shrinking farm groups in the past.Working paper picked up for the “double track” approach while interacting with the US on agricultural commodities and appeared eager to open the country market for specific non-sensitive imports of farm products, which do not face direct competition from local producers, such as almonds, pistachios and monolithic.India has maintained surplus in agricultural trade with the US and has increased over time. India’s agricultural exports in the US increased by about five times between 2004 and 2024, which increased from $ 1.18 billion to $ 5.75 billion, however, however, increased from $ 291 million in 2004 to $ 2,218 million in 2024.
