India will not allow imports of genetically modified (GM) products, and the dairy sector will remain protected in its trade agreements, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said on Tuesday, underlining the government's position on sensitive agricultural sectors amid expanding global trade engagements.
Addressing students at Kirori Mal College in New Delhi, Goyal said India had never permitted imports of GM products and would maintain the same position in the future. He described the issue as highly sensitive, alongside dairy, marine products and certain other agricultural commodities.
"We are very sensitive not to allow any GM products to come to India and we have never allowed it and we'll never allow it in the future," he said.
On dairy imports, the minister said India had not extended duty concessions in this sector under any free trade agreement (FTA) concluded so far. He also highlighted religious sensitivities associated with dairy production, particularly the use of calf-derived rennet in cheese-making in some countries. He said imported dairy products must meet India's certification requirements to ensure these sensitivities are respected.
Goyal said India had not compromised on sensitive products in its concluded trade agreements and remained committed to protecting farmers, fishermen and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). At the same time, the government was seeking preferential market access for Indian products in sectors such as textiles, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, and gems and jewellery.
He said the objective was to secure lower import duties for Indian goods compared with competing countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, China and the Philippines.
Highlighting India's trade ambitions, Goyal said the country had set an export target of $1 trillion for the current financial year. Exports reached $480 billion during April-September, registering 14% growth. India recorded its highest-ever exports of $863 billion in the previous year, he added.
The minister said India was increasingly being viewed as a trusted global trade partner, with several countries keen to enter into preferential trade agreements and FTAs with it.
Calling upon young people to contribute to India's development by 2047, Goyal also stressed the importance of entrepreneurship, startups and manufacturing in generating employment opportunities.