Karnal, June 24 -- As the Israel-Iran conflict enters its second week with no resolution in sight, Indian basmati rice exporters are bearing the brunt. Shipments of nearly 1 lakh tonnes of rice-worth Rs.1,500 crore-meant for Iran are stranded at ports, and exporters say payments worth twice that amount are currently pending.

Exporters warn that if the situation persists, the impact will not be limited to the industry alone. It could soon trickle down to farmers, especially in the northern states where paddy transplantation is currently underway as part of the ongoing Kharif season.

India's top basmati-producing states include Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Delhi. Of these, Haryana contributes the largest s...