India Lifts Rice Export Ban for Three Countries

India, which had previously banned the export of rice, has now lifted this ban for three countries. India's Directorate General of Foreign Trade made the announcement on Wednesday, revealing that the export ban no longer applies to Bhutan, Singapore, and Mauritius.

Consequently, India can now export rice to these three nations through the National Cooperative Exports Limited, a government-owned company in India. In essence, India has made arrangements to facilitate rice exports to Bhutan, Singapore, and Mauritius through government channels.

Despite Nepal's request for India to arrange rice exports, it appears that India has declined this request.

The Government of India implemented the rice export ban effective from the 15th of Ashad. The Directorate General of Foreign Trade in India restricted the export of all rice types except Basmati, citing the harmonized code 10063090.

Now, India has lifted the ban specifically for these three mentioned countries.

Due to a weakened monsoon season, rice production in India has decreased, leading to an increase in rice prices within the country. To curb this price surge, India initially imposed the rice export ban. It's worth noting that India is set to hold parliamentary elections in 2024, and the government strategically employed the export ban as a measure to prevent rising rice prices in the lead-up to these elections.

With India's rice export ban in place, the price of rice in Nepal has seen a rapid increase.