RPT-UPDATE 2-India may import rice from Thailand, Vietnam

(Repeats story issued late on Tuesday)

* India considering govt-to-govt rice imports

* Has no wheat imports plan; may consider cotton exports ban

* Federal panel to meet on Fri to decide on rice import bids (Adds expiry of rice import bids in paras 7,8)

NEW DELHI, Nov 17 (Reuters) - Traditional rice exporter India is looking at importing rice from Thailand and Vietnam through diplomatic deals, Trade Minister Anand Sharma said on Tuesday.

This would be the first time in 20 years that India imports the grain.

The federal government might also consider banning cotton exports to improve domestic market supplies, Sharma said.

Three state-run trading firms last month floated rice import tenders totalling 30,000 tonnes and received 18 bids ranging from $373 to $599 per tonne.

Of the three, MMTC Ltd (MMTC.BO: Quote, Profile, Research) said prices quoted in the bids were too high.