US trade bodies push back against India's IT hardware import curbs

economictimes.indiatimes.com:

Apple, Intel, Google, Lenovo, Dell Technologies, HP, and others have called on the US government to «use every available forum» to push India to reconsider implementing the import restriction policy on IT hardware and launch a formal stakeholder consultation to solicit recommendations from the industry. The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has placed electronics items such as laptops, tablets, all-in-one-personal computers, small form factor computers and servers under the restricted imports category, thereby requiring companies to seek an additional licence to bring these goods into the country.

In an August 15 letter, eight US-based trade bodies, including Consumer Technology Association, Information Technology Industry Council, Semiconductor Industry Association and United States Council for International Business, have asked the US Trade Representative and the US Secretary of Commerce to «use every available forum of engagement with the government of India to ensure that its measures in the ICT sector are consistent with India's international trade obligations and commitments». ET has seen a copy of the letter.

The adoption of the licensing measures imposed by India, the trade bodies said in their letter, raised concerns about India's reliability as a trade and supply chain partner.More clarifications soughtThese measures, they said, undermined the shared objective of deepening the bilateral economic relationship between the two countries. In an August 3 notification, the DGFT had, citing security concerns, announced that the import of certain IT hardware products would fall under the restricted category and would therefore require a licence, effective immediately.