WTO

India has urged the World Trade Organization (WTO) to widen the scope of discussions on e-commerce beyond tariff-related issues, emphasizing the need to address digital infrastructure gaps and the uneven benefits of the digital economy. Indian officials argue that without inclusive frameworks, developing nations risk being sidelined in global e-commerce growth dominated by advanced economies and big tech firms.

China has formally filed a complaint against India at the World Trade Organization (WTO), challenging recent trade measures implemented by New Delhi. The dispute centers on regulatory and tariff policies that China claims are discriminatory against Chinese exports, potentially affecting goods ranging from electronics to raw materials. India, citing national interests and domestic industry protection, maintains that its policies comply with WTO norms.

As negotiations for a landmark India-US trade agreement accelerate, senior Congress leaders have urged the Indian government to provide clarity and involve opposition parties in the process. US President Donald Trump’s announcement of a “very big” deal that would “open up” India has sparked calls for transparency and strategic prudence, emphasizing that any agreement must safeguard India’s national interests and uphold its commitments to global trade frameworks like the WTO.

India has formally reserved the right to impose retaliatory tariffs on select US products in response to the United States' steel and aluminum tariffs, a move permitted under World Trade Organization (WTO) regulations. The decision follows India's notification to the WTO, which signals its intent to act, though it may choose to address the issue through ongoing bilateral trade agreement (BTA) negotiations instead. The matter is intertwined with broader trade discussions aimed at boosting US-India commerce.

World Trade Organization Director General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has called on India to lend support to the China-led Investment Facilitation for Development (IFD) proposal, which is backed by a majority of developing nations. Speaking during a meeting with Indian Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal, Okonjo-Iweala emphasized India’s critical leadership role in shaping the future of the WTO amid ongoing trade disruptions and the need for reforms.

A brewing trade dispute between the United States and India has taken center stage at the World Trade Organization (WTO), as Washington defends its decision to impose tariffs on steel and aluminum under national security pretenses. India, contesting this stance, argues these levies constitute safeguard measures—a categorization that would trigger obligations under the WTO’s Safeguards Agreement.