India does not have a 'consistent policy' due to public pressure and this could deprive the country of being recognised as a 'dependable' partner in agriculture trade, Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar has said.
"For larger and long term interest, we have to be a little open for import and export," he told PTI when asked about self sufficiency in the food commodities and whether wheat import would be continued.
Making a case for integration of Indian market with the world community, Pawar said "if there is a shortage you can import, if there is surplus you can export. Today, I have issued a ban on export of non-basmati rice and if next year we produce a huge quantity, who is going to believe me in the international market?
"They may say you are not a dependable supplier... But these type of ideas... still our Parliament and media are not able to digest," he said, adding that "there is no consistent policy because of the public pressure and Parliament".