NEW DELHI:India is currently defending nine trade disputes at the World Trade Organisation, including those filed by Japan, Brazil and Australia, the parliament was informed on Tuesday.
The Department of Commerce engages the Centre for Trade and Investment Law, the Centre for WTO Studies and empanelled law firms to represent India in the disputes, MoS, Commerce and Industry Jitin Prasada said in Lok Sabha.
Nearly Rs 2.43 crore has been spent so far on empanelled law firms for their services at WTO, he said, adding further costs will depend on the progress of ongoing proceedings.
"There are currently nine disputes pending against India under the WTO Understanding on Rules and Procedures Governing the Settlement of Disputes, commonly referred to as the WTO Dispute Settlement Understanding," Prasada said.
Japan in May 2019 challenged India’s safeguard measures on certain iron and steel products. India maintained that the measures were WTO‑consistent and has appealed a panel report, the minister said, adding that the appeal remains pending due to the non‑functioning of the WTO Appellate Body.
Brazil, Australia and Guatemala disputed India’s sugar and sugarcane support and alleged export subsidies, arguing the measures breach the Agreement on Agriculture and the Subsidies and Countervailing Measures (ASCM) rules.
India contested these claims before the WTO panel and maintained that its sugar support policies and export-related schemes are in accordance with its WTO commitments and rights under these agreements.
The European Union, Japan and Chinese Taipei have raised disputes over India’s tariff treatment on certain Information and Communications Technology (ICT) products.
"The complainants alleged that India has applied customs duties, in excess of the bound rates recorded in India's WTO schedule, thereby according less favourable treatment to these ICT goods in violation of GATT 1994," he said.
