Archive · 3 Oct 2025
India Faces WTO Scrutiny Over Trade Practices
Imagine India is selling things to other countries.
Some countries think India is making it too hard to sell things there.
The WTO is like a referee for these trades.
India has rules called QCOs to make sure things are safe.
But other countries think these rules are too strict and limit what they can sell to India.
India also has rules about what can be brought in (imports), especially for certain foods like beans, which other countries are not happy about.
India says its rules are for safety and to help its own businesses.
The WTO is looking into it to make sure everything is fair.
India is under scrutiny by the WTO for import restrictions and quality control orders (QCOs).
Multiple WTO members have questioned India's trade practices, citing potential trade barriers.
Quantitative restrictions on pulses imports faced scrutiny from Australia, Canada, and the EU.
India has received queries on its failure to respond to farm trade-related questions for over a decade.
India defends its policies as necessary for consumer safety and to support domestic industries.
- Who
- India
- What
- Facing scrutiny from the WTO over import restrictions and quality control orders.
- When
- A draft report was released on Thursday; multiple issues discussed in October.
- Where
- At the World Trade Organization (WTO).
- Why
- WTO members questioned India's trade policies, particularly their impact on market access.
Concerns of Trading Partners
India's Position
Import Restrictions and QCOs
Concerns of Trading Partners
Some WTO members argue that India's QCOs and import restrictions create trade barriers, limiting market access and increasing compliance burdens.
India's Position
India maintains that QCOs are necessary for consumer safety and to protect domestic industries.
Pulses Import Policy
Concerns of Trading Partners
Australia, Canada, and the EU have expressed concerns about India's import restrictions on pulses, urging for a more predictable, open, and transparent regime.
India's Position
India states that these measures are in place to maintain food and nutrition security.
Transparency and Response to Queries
Concerns of Trading Partners
India faces criticism for not responding to farm trade-related queries, leading to accumulated unanswered questions.
India's Position
India highlights its compliance with WTO agreements and its right to establish trade policies.
- Organization
- World Trade Organization (WTO)
- Subject
- India's trade policies
- Report Date
- Draft report released on Thursday
- Key Issues
- Import restrictions, Quality Control Orders (QCOs), and unanswered trade queries
- Countries with Concerns
- EU, Australia, Canada, Chinese Taipei, Thailand, Japan