JAKARTA — India is pursuing agreements with nations requiring halal certification for meat and meat product imports, aiming to establish formal recognition of its certified halal standards in international markets.

Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal announced that authorities have spent several years working to persuade Gulf nations and other countries with Muslim-majority populations to accept India’s official halal certification system instead of relying on informal verification methods.

Oman Agreement Sets Precedent for Mutual Recognition

The recently signed India-Oman Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement includes provisions for mutual recognition of halal certification, marking a significant step in India’s export facilitation strategy. The agreement also recognizes India’s National Programme for Organic Production certification and strengthens cooperation on standards and conformity assessment.

Goyal explained that official recognition of India’s halal certification in Oman will eliminate redundant testing and certification procedures, reducing costs and improving market access for Indian exporters.

Mission Mode Engagement Across Markets

The minister outlined plans to systematically engage with all 55 countries where halal certification requirements are prevalent. The government intends to advocate for acceptance of only formally approved halal certification processes.

“We want to ensure that religious sentiments are respected through a formal and official halal certification process rather than the irregular processes that have prevailed for many decades,” Goyal stated during a media briefing on the Oman agreement.

Organic Product Certification Gains Ground

In another breakthrough, Oman has become the first country to accept India’s National Programme for Organic Production regime. Organic products certified by India’s Export Inspection Council will now gain direct entry to Oman’s market without additional testing requirements.

The mandatory acceptance of Export Inspection Council certificates aims to streamline trade flows and eliminate unnecessary inspection procedures at Oman’s ports of entry.

Trade Agreement Details

Negotiations for the India-Oman partnership began in November 2023, with the final agreement signed during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Oman. Goyal and Oman’s Minister of Commerce, Industry & Investment Promotion Qais bin Mohammed Al Yousef formalized the pact.

Under the agreement, India receives duty-free market access covering approximately 98 percent of Oman’s tariff lines and 99 percent of trade value. Given Oman’s average duty structure of 5 percent, about 80 percent of India’s current exports are covered by the concessions, which took effect immediately. The agreement includes protections for India’s agricultural sector to safeguard farmer interests and rural livelihoods.

Original Article:

Tribun News. (2026, January 23). India is engaging with countries to export formal Halal-certified products: Piyush Goyal.  Retrieved from https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/business/india-is-engaging-with-countries-to-export-formal-halal-certified-products-piyush-goyal/