India, Nov. 3 -- Takesh Luckho, chairman of Mauritius State Trading Corporation, has confirmed that Mauritius is looking to enter into long-term deals with India for the import of around 33,000 tonnes of rice, a step that will help in easing out Pakistan's role.

Speaking at the global rice conference, Takesh Luckho was quoted as saying by Business Standard that Pakistan became a significant rice supplier after India banned non-basmati rice exports in 2023 to cool down domestic markets.

He said India previously supplied rice to Mauritius as part of a long-term deals before the ban was imposed.

After the ban was imposed, Pakistan tried to recapture the market after the Mauritian government began the process of open tendering.

Luckho sai...