The SCL Act, which covers 63 items, imposes taxes at high rates on staple foods such as rice, potatoes, and maize. Critics argue that while these taxes protect domestic agriculture, they also make basic foods costly, exacerbating malnutrition among poor families.
China has placed food security at the centre of its national strategy, setting a binding target to raise annual grain production capacity to 725 million metric tonnes by 2030.
The appeal came during a high-level meeting with visiting Indian Defence Minister, Rajnath Singh on 9 September 2026, the first such visit by an Indian defence minister in 38 years.
China has placed food security at the centre of its national strategy, setting a binding target to raise annual grain production capacity to 725 million metric tonnes by 2030.