New Delhi, March 10 Cargo worth approximately Rs 345 crore, destined for export to Iran, is currently stranded at Kandla and Mundra ports due to the ongoing West Asian crisis, Parliament was informed on Tuesday.
In a written reply to the Lok Sabha, Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Jitin Prasada stated that disruptions in shipping and port operations, caused by the ongoing West Asian crisis, are affecting cargo movement.
As of March 1, 35,962 tonnes of rice, tea, and pharmaceutical cargo, with a Free on Board (FOB) value of Rs 305.67 crore, were stranded at the Kandla port, destined for export to Iran.
Similarly, 5,676 tonnes of rice, tea, and pharmaceutical cargo, with a FOB value of Rs 40.72 crore, were stranded at the Mundra port, also destined for export to Iran.
"India's trade with Iran is primarily in cereals and pharmaceuticals. Due to the ongoing developments in West Asia, there are disruptions in shipping and port operations, which is also affecting cargo movement," Prasada said.
A joint attack launched by the US and Israel on Iran has led to disruptions in the movement of ships.
Iran is one of the key buyers of Indian basmati rice.
During April-January of this fiscal year, the country exported basmati rice worth Rs 5,424.24 crore (7,90,691 tonnes) to Iran. This was Rs 4,861.83 crore (6,27,030 tonnes) during the same period in the previous year.
"As of now, the US tariffs on countries doing business with Iran have not been affected," he added.