New Delhi, June 5: Russia on Tuesday banned imports of rice and two other commodities from India after finding pests in some consignments, Press Trust of India reported.

It said New Delhi had sought time from Russia till November saying that the new crop would be free from the problem.

"Actual ban was in force from May 1, but import was allowed on the basis of earlier issued certificates. Now a complete ban has come into force as Indian authorities have failed to take proper quality control measures," PTI said quoting Interfax news agency.

The ban applies on rice, groundnuts and sesame seeds originating from India, implying that the products cannot be shipped into Russia even from a third country, the report quoted Russia's agriculture watchdog as saying.

Moscow had earlier claimed to have found several consignments of Indian rice, groundnuts and sesame seeds contaminated with pests.

An Indian Commerce Ministry spokesperson said in New Delhi that the government has taken up the issue with Russia while maintaining that Indian agricultural products conformed to international sanitary and phyto-sanitary norms.

"We have told them not to impose ban till November 2007 by which time the new crop will be ready. In the meantime, they are free to visit our laboratories and fields," he said.

India exports 50,000 tons of basmati and non-basmati rice out of its total exports of four million tons.

In January, Russia had intercepted 54 tons of Indian groundnut infested with pests dangerous for grain crops, PTI said.