The trade war between Washington and Beijing is choking off China’s supply of crops such as soyabeans and cotton. India believes it has the answer.

Indian officials and exporters are pushing to boost sales of staples such as rice, sugar and milk to China, exploiting an opportunity created after Beijing raised tariffs on many US foodstuffs. Officials have signed agreements to sell fish oil and rapeseed meal to China, lobbied to remove import barriers to soyabean meal and discussed ways to increase sales of fruit and vegetables.

Selling more produce to China would provide a boost for Narendra Modi, the prime minister, as he seeks to appease farmers angry about low prices and high debt levels ahead of national elections in 2019. Tens of thousands marched on the capital New Delhi in November, capping off a year of farmers’ discontent.