Indian tea delegation to visit Pakistan

India's prospects of exporting tea to Pakistan is getting brighter with a 15-member delegation, headed by Tea Board Chairman S S Ahuja, visiting the neighbouring nation in July to pave the way for a "long-term arrangement" between the two countries.

The delegation comprises chief executive officers of all leading tea companies, including Tata Tea, the Goodricke group and Rossel, besides the heads of leading Indian tea associations.

Both India and Pakistan have need for such trade. Indian tea companies have had difficulty getting payment from the Commonwealth of Independent Countries and are finding it increasingly tough pushing sales in Europe, especially in the United Kingdom and Germany, where the green lobby has protested against the alleged disregard Indian tea companies show for the environment. According to a tea company official, the high standard the European Union sets cannot be implemented in India.

Pakistan, which was unwilling to deal with India till recently, imports tea from Kenya and a little from Bangladesh. This put heavy strain on Pakistan, especially after Kenyan tea companies hiked prices sharply.

Confirming the development, Goodricke Managing Director S K Bhasin said the delegation was being sent after Pakistan expressed its interest in Indian tea.

"The people in Pakistan have been traditionally interested in Indian tea, not only because of the price factor but also for the quality. But exports were not possible (because of diplomatic problems)... We are optimistic that this delegation will be able to create the ground for Indian tea exports in Pakistan," Bhasin said.

Bhasin, who is part of the proposed delegation, pointed out that Pakistanis prefer the tea from the Dooars and Kacchar regions which are cheaper than tea from other areas. Since Goodricke has a strong base in these regions, "we are optimistic about the prospect of exporting tea in Pakistan," he said.

A Tea Board official too expressed optimism. "Pakistan, which remained a virgin land for Indian tea, is now on the verge of opening up. We think we will be able to establish trade relations there, with governments of both countries showing interest," he said.

This is not the first time such a delegation is visiting Pakistan. Two years ago, a delegation of Indian tea company executives returned empty-handed from Pakistan when relations between the two countries deteriorated after Pakistan accused India of backing the Mohajirs in Karachi.