Not received any written communication from Namibia regarding lifting ban on ivory trade, says Environment Ministry

Environment Ministry has said that India has not received any written communication from Namibia regarding lifting of ban on ivory trade.

The Ministry said, the report published in a newspaper in this regard largely relies on speculation and not on the facts. It said the agreement signed between both countries includes wildlife conservation and sustainable biodiversity utilization.

The Ministry said as sovereign countries both India and Namibia will evaluate their positions on sustainable biodiversity utilization within the ambit of agreement based on the principles of mutual respect and sovereignty.