India, Sept. 10 -- The trade discussions between India and the United States have reignited the contentious debate around Genetically Modified (GM) crops. The US has been pressing India to open imports of the GM crops such as corn and soybean. Both are among major crops grown on large areas across India. However, India is resisting, citing that it does not cultivate GM food crops (only Bt cotton is permitted), making competition unfair if imports are allowed while domestic use remains restricted.

What often begins as a negotiation over market access and global competitiveness quickly spills into questions of food safety, farmer livelihoods, and national self-reliance. But to view GM crops only through the lens of trade diplomacy is to mi...