By Admin 
India Export to Middle East: There have been strong and deep trade relations between India and the Middle East. On one hand, India is dependent on them for its energy needs. At the same time, the Gulf countries are largely dependent on India for their food security. In a situation when tension in the Middle East is at its peak due to attacks by America and Israel, India has decided to continue supplying food items to the countries in the Middle East.
On Thursday, Commerce Secretary Rajesh Aggarwal said that India will continue to supply food items to Middle East countries despite the disruptions caused by the ongoing conflict. However, the scale of shipment will depend on logistics challenges and rising costs.
supply should not stop
Rajesh Aggarwal says that the government is considering several avenues to ensure that there is no interruption in the supply of essential commodities. He said, “They are working through air cargo or long routes wherever possible, all these options are being explored to ensure that the food reaches because food remains our priority.
Challenges facing India
- In fact, due to the war in Iran and its risks, the war risk insurance premium for cargo ships has increased from 0.05 percent to 0.75-1 percent. Due to this, the cost of transportation has also increased by about 20-30 percent.
- Earlier, goods were easily transported through the Red Sea or the Strait of Hormuz, but now due to tension, ships have to go through the Cape of Good Hope (below Africa). Due to this the journey is taking more time by 15-20 days. In such a situation, the risk of food items getting spoiled, orders arriving late and payment getting delayed has increased. Due to longer travel time, expenditure on diesel is also increasing.
- Many countries have also closed their airspace. In such a situation, the cargo capacity has also decreased and on top of that the cost has also increased.
Goods going from India to Middle East
- Countries in the Middle East such as Saudi Arabia and Iran are the largest buyers of Basmati rice from India.
- India sends potatoes, onions, green vegetables, fresh fruits, cardamom, tea and coffee, dairy products, frozen food items to Gulf countries.
- Apart from these, medicines are also sent. Textiles, engineering goods, gems and jewelery are also included in the export list.
Also read:
Amidst Middle East tension, neighboring countries are asking for oil from India, the government gave this answer to the request