Chances of resumption of Indian wheat exports have brightened following a visit by an Iranian delegation consisting of experts from its laboratories to various States to examine the quality of wheat. The team has since gone back with a positive frame of mind and is likely to submit a report shortly.
India is looking at exporting nearly 3 million tonnes of wheat to Iran but the issue of quality has been a big concern for Tehran. Iran had, in 1996, banned Indian wheat imports following suspicion of presence of fungal disease called Karnal Bunt. However, following the visit of the business delegations to Iran in recent months, Iran decided to have a re-look at the whole issue and decided to send a delegation to India to take stock of the situation.
Officials in the Commerce and Industry Ministry said that this delegation conducted field visits to States such as Haryana, Madhya Pradesh and Punjab to assess the quality of wheat and explore the possibility of imports into Iran. India is keen to export wheat to Iran as its godowns are overflowing with foodgrains.
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“The Iranian delegation has taken samples of the wheat to Iran. They will conduct tests in their laboratories and a report on this issue is expected to be out, most likely next month,” a senior official said.
India has also conveyed to Tehran that it has best labs in the world and quality norms will not be an issue now.