During the ongoing trade negotiations, India is unlikely to agree to US demands to accept genetically modified (GM) agricultural products such as corn and soya, a source closely monitoring the talks has indicated.
“Some things are matters of principle. We can’t import GM,” the source said in response to a query over the government’s position on GM imports from the US.
This assumes significance since agriculture remains one of the contentious issues between the two countries, and the United States Trade Representative (USTR) has previously flagged restrictions on its GM products by countries as discriminatory.
“The Food Safety and Standards Act of 2006 includes specific provisions for regulating food products derived from genetically engineered (GE) sources; however, as of December 31, 2024, the FSSAI was still in the process of establishing its regulations. India’s biotechnology approval processes are slow, opaque, and subject to political influences, and do not appear to take into account science-based approval processes for GE products in exporting countries,” the USTR report had said.
While India is seeking greater market access for its textiles, leather and footwear, the US is pushing for access to India’s agricultural and dairy markets — a major hurdle, as Indian farmers often operate on small land parcels with limited technological support. In contrast, the US has demanded that India should drop its GM regulation.
There is significant resistance to genetically modified (GM) crops in India. Only one GM crop — Bt cotton — is approved for cultivation. No GM food crop is commercially grown, although experimental trials continue. However, imports of GM soybean oil and canola oil are permitted.
A 2013 report by the European Network of Scientists for Social and Environmental Responsibility (ENSSER) emphasised that many studies deeming GM foods safe were industry-funded, and that long‑term, independent studies were lacking.
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New Delhi‑based think tank GTRI said: “Environmental studies have shown that widespread use of Bt crops can lead to pest resistance, such as in the pink bollworm, and pose risks to non‑target species such as monarch butterflies, as suggested in a 1999 Nature study. Additionally, the overuse of glyphosate with herbicide-tolerant GM crops has led to ‘superweeds’ and increased herbicide use.”
The GTRI said that GM and non‑GM crops may intermingle at various stages of the supply chain — during transport, storage or processing. “Once GM material enters, there is a high risk it could leak into local farming systems or processed food chains, posing risks to food safety, environmental integrity, and India’s export reputation — especially in GM‑sensitive markets such as the EU,” the think tank warned.
It said the import of GM products, such as animal feed, could negatively affect India’s agricultural exports to the EU, which enforces strict GM-labelling rules and faces strong consumer opposition to GM‑linked products.
Although GM feed is permitted, many European buyers prefer fully GM‑free supply chains. India’s fragmented agri‑logistics and lack of segregation infrastructure increase the likelihood of cross‑contamination and trace GM presence in export consignments. This could result in shipment rejections, higher testing costs, and erosion of India’s GM‑free image, particularly in sectors such as rice, tea, honey, spices and organic foods, the GTRI said.
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