ISLAMABAD: In a significant diplomatic and commercial victory for Pakistan’s rice export sector, an Australian court has rejected India’s attempt to monopolise the Basmati name, dismissing an appeal filed by India’s Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA).
The Federal Court of Australia not only dismissed the appeal but also ordered APEDA to pay the respondent’s costs, delivering a decisive blow to India’s long-standing efforts to claim exclusive rights over the globally renowned Basmati rice brand.
Pakistan hails Australian court ruling rejecting India’s Basmati trademark appeal pic.twitter.com/cvwNO5vNLA
— Pakistan TV Digital (@PakistanTVcom) August 12, 2026
“Decision vindicates Pakistan’s principled position”
Pakistan’s Ministry of Commerce welcomed the court’s ruling, stating that the decision vindicates Pakistan’s principled and consistently maintained position regarding Basmati as a geographical indication.
Read Also: Pakistan’s Basmati Rice Exports Increase as India’s to Fall
“Basmati originates from a historically recognised growing region spanning areas of Pakistan and India, and no single national authority can claim an exclusive right over the word Basmati to the exclusion of producers and exporters having an equally legitimate right to its use,” the ministry said in an official statement.
The case dates back to APEDA’s application to register the word Basmati as a certification trade mark for rice in Australia. The application was initially rejected by a delegate of the Australian Registrar of Trade Marks on December 22, 2022, on the grounds that the word Basmati could not distinguish rice certified by APEDA from Basmati rice legitimately produced and marketed by other traders.
Pakistan Wins Major Basmati Rice Legal Battle in Australia
Pakistan has secured a major legal victory in Australia after the Federal Court rejected India’s appeal over the trademark registration of the term “basmati.” India’s APEDA was also ordered to pay the opposing party’s… pic.twitter.com/1MfqP59vjk
— Pakistan Now (@pakistannownews) August 12, 2026
Australian court upholds Pakistan’s legitimate claim
APEDA subsequently challenged the decision before the Federal Court of Australia. However, the court upheld the registrar’s findings, which expressly recognised that Basmati rice is also grown in Pakistan and that Pakistani traders have an equally valid claim to use the term.
Read Also: Indian Exporters Fear Pakistan Could Seize Control of Basmati Rice Market
“The outcome constitutes a significant victory for Pakistan’s position that Basmati originates from a historically recognised growing region spanning areas of Pakistan and India,” the commerce ministry statement added.
The ruling protects the commercial and intellectual-property interests of Pakistan’s Basmati growers, millers, and exporters, preserving their right to market authentic Pakistani Basmati in the Australian market.
🚨آسٹریلیا کی وفاقی عدالت نے بھارت کی APEDA کی اپیل مسترد کر دی، باسمتی لفظ پر بھارتی اجارہ داری کا دعویٰ ناکام۔
آسٹریلوی رجسٹرار نے 22 دسمبر 2022 کو بھارت کی درخواست مسترد کی تھی کہ لفظ “باسمتی” بھارتی چاول کو دیگر پیداکاروں سے ممتاز نہیں کر سکتا۔ بھارت نے فیصلے کو چیلنج کیا… pic.twitter.com/Rvabc8Yb85
— Faizan Ali Warraich (@FaizanWarraichh) August 12, 2026
Pakistan’s consistent opposition to Indian monopoly
The Ministry of Commerce has consistently opposed Indian attempts to claim exclusive rights over the Basmati name in international markets. The ministry coordinated with relevant national institutions and stakeholders to safeguard Pakistan’s legitimate interests throughout the legal battle.
The ministry further stated that it will continue to safeguard Basmati as an important part of Pakistan’s agricultural heritage and export identity, and pursue its protection in foreign jurisdictions based on its historical origin, established reputation, and distinctive qualities.
Read Also: Malaysia Warns India-Pakistan Tensions May Affect Rice Supplies
Commerce minister hails “important achievement”
Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal appreciated the Ministry of Commerce team, concerned officials, and stakeholders for their coordinated efforts in safeguarding Pakistan’s legitimate rights and interests in the Basmati case.
He termed the outcome an important achievement for Pakistan’s agricultural heritage, commercial interests, and export identity.
