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India bars GM foods and calf‑meat dairy imports, vows to make its own tunnel boring machines
Reported by Abhishek Tiwari (Copy Editor) · Indian Express - Business ·
Photo: Wikimedia CommonsIndia will not permit imports of genetically modified foods or dairy products made with calf meat, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said on Tuesday. He stressed that the dairy sector has never been opened to such products and will remain closed for religious and health reasons. The United States Trade Representative’s March 2025 report called India’s certification rules on dairy a non‑tariff barrier, noting the need for strict animal‑feed standards and high tariffs that limit U.S. market access. Goyal made the remarks while speaking to students at Kirori Mal College.
TBM Strategy
Goyal addressed India’s reliance on tunnel boring machines (TBMs) after China announced export licences for TBMs will start on November 18. He said many countries would accept the restriction, but India will develop its own machines if China curtails supply. He cited the upcoming 508‑km Mumbai‑Ahmedabad High‑Speed Rail project, which includes a 7‑km undersea tunnel, as a key reason for self‑reliance. Goyal added that Indian startups are already experimenting with rare‑earth‑based motors after China limited rare‑earth exports.
Context
India’s stance on GM and non‑vegetarian dairy aligns with its long‑standing precautionary approach to food safety and cultural preferences. The TBM push reflects a broader policy of reducing dependence on foreign technology in strategic infrastructure projects.
ExplainerWhy this matters
What Happened
India’s commerce minister said the country will keep out GM foods and dairy that uses calf meat, and that it will build its own tunnel boring machines if China stops exporting them.
Why It Matters
The dairy decision protects Indian cultural and health concerns but also blocks a potential trade concession sought by the United States, affecting a major bilateral negotiation. Developing TBMs at home reduces reliance on a strategic import and safeguards critical infrastructure like the Mumbai‑Ahmedabad bullet train, which cannot afford delays due to foreign supply cuts.
What Happens Next
India will likely tighten certification checks for dairy imports and issue guidelines for domestic TBM development. The U.S. may push harder for dairy market access, while Chinese export controls will test India’s new manufacturing plans. Watch for announcements from Indian startups on TBM prototypes and any diplomatic talks that address the dairy trade barrier.
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