US signals softer stand: Access to high-end cheese, not milk mkt

Signalling a possible softening of its stance on opening the dairy sector in India under the proposed trade deal, a US official said Washington is mainly interested in exporting premium cheese to India and has little intention of competing in the mass-market milk segment, which remains highly sensitive for New Delhi.

- ASIT RANJAN MISHRA

"It doesn't make sense to export milk or yogurt to India. We are talking about high-end products like certain cheese varieties which may be 2-5 per cent of people will consume," the official said, requesting anonymity.

While this may open a window for convergence of negotiating positions on the sensitive dairy sector, it is not yet clear whether this will be acceptable to India. The country has not opened the dairy sector even for niche products despite demands from Australia and the UK under trade deals.