The government has prepared a list of 494 products to secure geographical indication (GI) recognition for them in order to safeguard the source of their origin, enhance their economic value at home and abroad, and fetch financial benefits for producers.

From Darjeeling tea to Roquefort cheese, Geographical Indications (GIs) have become potent symbols of cultural heritage and economic clout. But what exactly are they, and why do they spark international debates like the recent India-Bangladesh dispute over Tangail sarees?