India Will Never Allow GM Imports or Open Dairy Sector, Says Goyal
Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said India has never permitted the import of genetically modified goods and will continue barring them in the future. Speaking to students at Kirori Mal College in Delhi on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, the minister highlighted that both biotechnology imports and the domestic dairy market represent highly sensitive areas for the country.
Goyal noted that India has never granted duty concessions or opened the domestic dairy sector to foreign competition in any free trade agreement. He stated that in trade agreements finalised by New Delhi, the government has never compromised on sensitive items, maintaining protections for farmers, fishermen, and micro, small, and medium enterprises.
Religious Sensitivities and Dairy Certification Standards
Addressing trade negotiations, Goyal explained that foreign producers frequently utilise animal ingredients like calf meat or rennet during commercial dairy processing. Rennet is an enzyme used in cheese manufacturing that is traditionally extracted from the stomach lining of young calves. The minister stressed that such practices conflict with the religious sentiments of large segments of the Indian population.
Indian import rules strictly bar dairy products obtained from animals given feed containing animal-derived material, according to The DairyNews.
Consequently, imports must undergo rigorous certification to verify that no calf-derived enzymes or animal meat products enter the domestic supply chain.
Goyal emphasised that India remains cautious regarding opening up to certain agricultural goods, while actively safeguarding sectors where domestic producers hold significant strength, such as marine products. He reiterated that New Delhi has never opened its dairy sector to any trading partner and will not alter that stance going forward.
India is targeting $1 trillion in combined goods and services exports in 2026-27, with exports in April-September 2026 totalling approximately $480 billion, around 14% higher than a year earlier, according to The DairyNews.
The United States maintains substantial commercial interests in both dairy and genetically modified agricultural goods in bilateral trade engagements with India, according to The DairyNews.
Offensive Trade Interests and Export Competition
Discussing India's broader negotiating strategy, Goyal stated that trade pacts aim to unlock employment opportunities and commercial gains for agricultural producers and small businesses. He explained that India consistently pursues preferential market access for key domestic export industries where local manufacturers are competitive.
These offensive interests primarily include textiles, pharmaceuticals, agricultural commodities, and gems and jewellery. The objective of these trade agreements is to secure lower customs duties for Indian goods than those imposed on competing nations, including Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, China, and the Philippines.
Domestic Manufacturing and Employment Opportunities
Turning to domestic employment, Goyal highlighted that the central government is working to expand manufacturing operations across the country. He noted that policy initiatives are designed to foster additional government jobs and regular employment options for job seekers.
At the same time, Goyal urged college students to explore emerging opportunities in entrepreneurship and startup enterprises.