The apex body of tea planters of India on Tuesday said it was ready to suspend trade with Pakistan if the Indian government wished so. As per detail, the Indian Tea Association (ITA) has decided in a meeting that in the wake of new terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir if Indian government wanted them, they are ready to stop export of tea to Pakistan.
"ITA is ready to suspend tea trade with Pakistan if asked by the government particularly in the wake of terror attacks in Kashmir," ITA Chairman Azam Menom said. He said that Pakistan is a fair weather friend as far as tea is concerned. Suspending trade with Pakistan will not have much impact in terms of exports. "I think the Tea Board will guide us in this regard," Menom said. Out of 230 million kg of tea exports, Pakistan accounted for only 15 to 18 million kg.
"Pakistan generally buys from Sri Lanka and Kenya. They buy from India when the prices are cheaper here," he added. The ITA chairman said 80 percent of tea imported by Pakistan was of the south Indian variety. The balance 20 percent is sourced from north India, he added.
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