Possibility of Sugar Imports from Pakistan Ruled Out

22-Aug-2026 12:45 PM

New Delhi: Although the government has approved the duty-free import of 1 million tonnes of raw sugar to boost domestic supply and curb rising prices, millers and refiners will not be permitted to source it from Pakistan. The existing restrictions on bilateral trade with Pakistan will remain in force.

A spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs stated that India's stance and policy regarding Pakistan are well known. While there were reports suggesting that Pakistani sugar producers were keen to supply their stocks to the Indian market, the spokesperson dismissed this possibility. This clarification comes at a time when wholesale and retail sugar prices in India have surged to historic highs, and the government is making concerted efforts to bring them under control.

For raw sugar imports, India has alternatives such as Brazil and Thailand—two of the world's leading suppliers. The Indian government is not considering sugar imports from Pakistan, even as an exception. On August 19, a global tender had been issued in Pakistan for the sale of 105,000 tonnes of sugar.