WTO Members Scrutinize India's Trade Framework At Policy Review

New Delhi, Jul 25 (KNN) India has concluded its eighth Trade Policy Review (TPR) at the World Trade Organization (WTO), with member countries raising a wide range of questions on its trade framework, including production-linked incentive (PLI) schemes, Quality Control Orders (QCOs) and tariff policies.

According to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, the review sessions held on July 21 and 23 saw participation from 68 WTO members. India received 1,094 written questions from 44 members, reflecting significant global interest in its trade and investment policies.

Responding to queries, Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agarwal said India’s trade policies align with WTO rules while addressing development needs. 

He noted that agricultural tariffs protect small and low-income farmers, while industrial tariffs aim to strengthen supply chains, promote diversification and support domestic manufacturing. On sanitary and phytosanitary measures, technical regulations and trade remedies, he reiterated India’s commitment to transparency and due process, ANI reported.

Agarwal emphasised that QCOs serve legitimate public policy objectives, while trade remedy investigations are conducted on the basis of objective evidence, judicial oversight and transparent procedures. 

He added that the overall use of such measures remains limited, with India continuing to apply the Lesser Duty Rule in anti-dumping cases.

(KNN Bureau)