WT/TPR/M/403  
25 February  2021 
(21-1608) Page: 1/74 
Trade Policy Review Body   
6 and 8 January 2021  
  
TRADE POLICY REVIEW  
INDIA 
MINUTES OF THE MEETING  
Chairperson: H.E. Mr. Harald Aspelund (Iceland)  
CONTENTS  
 
1  INTRODUCTORY REMARKS BY THE CHAIRPERSON  ................................ ......................  2 
2  OPENING STATEMENT BY THE REPRESENTATIVE OF INDIA  ................................ ........  4 
3  STATEMENT BY THE DISCUSSANT  ................................ ................................ ...............  9 
4  STATEMENTS BY MEMBERS  ................................ ................................ .......................  12 
5  REPLIES BY THE REPRESENTATIVE OF INDIA  AND ADDITIONAL COMMENTS  ...........  67 
6  CONCLUDING REMARKS BY THE CHAIRPERSON  ................................ ........................  73 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Note: Advance written questions and additional questions by WTO Members, and the replies provided 
by India are reproduced in document WT/TPR/M/ 403/Add.1  and will be available online at 
http://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/tpr_e/tp_rep_e.htm.  WT/TPR/M/403 • India  
 
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  1  INTRODUCTORY REMARKS BY THE CHAIRPERSON  
1.1.  The seventh  Trade Policy Review of India was held on 6 and 8 January 2021 . The Chairperson, 
H.E. Mr. Harald Aspelund (Iceland), welcomed the delegation of India, headed by Mr. Anup 
Wadhawan , Commerce Secretary ; H.E. Ambassador Mr. Brajendra  Navnit , Permanent 
Representative of the Republic of India to the WTO ; the rest of the delegation from New Delhi ; and 
the discussant  H.E. Ambassador Ms. Sunanta Kangvalkulkij (Thailand) . 
1.2.  The Chairperson was pleased that, in addition  to physical presence, the meeting also benefited 
from the Interprefy online connection, allowing for a wider participation of the Membership, in 
particular of officials who could not make the journey from India given the current circumstances.  
1.3.  The Chairp erson recalled the purpose of TPRs and the main elements of procedures for the 
meeting. The report by India is contained in document WT/TPR/G/40 3, and that of the WTO 
Secretariat in document WT/TPR/S/40 3. 
1.4.  Questions by the following delegations were submitted in writing before the deadline: Canada; 
Australia; New Zealand; Oman; Hong Kong, China; Republic of Korea; Japan; United States; 
Norway; Chile; Chinese Taipei; Ukraine; Brazil; Colombia; Iceland; Singap ore; United Kingdom; 
Switzerland; Israel; Costa Rica; Bangladesh; Europ ean Union; Mexico; and Thailand . The following 
delegations submitted written questions after the deadline: Turkey; Peru; Kazakhstan; Russian 
Federation; Indonesia; Malaysia ; China ; and the Philippines . 
1.5.  At the time of its previous Review in 2015, Members had commended India for its accelerating 
rate of economic growth, particularly in the services sector. Members had recognized India's need 
and willingness to overcome structural bottlenec ks and, in particular , urged India to pursue further 
tax reforms, including steps to introduce a nationwide Goods and Services Tax, which ha s since been 
fully implemented. This reform enabled India to harmonize the indirect tax system. However, the 
Secreta riat report prepared for this Review notes that other constraints, such as shortfalls in 
infrastructure, continue to exist and thus the re remains a  need to better target fiscal expenditure.  
1.6.  The Chairperson focused on India's economic developments since it s previous Review. The 
Secretariat Report indicate d that economic growth had been strong for most of the period under 
review, which had led to an improvement in socio -economic indicators, such as per -capita income 
and life expectancy. In this context, the Chairperson was  heartened  to read in the Government 
Report prepared for this Review that , to encourage female participation in the economy, various 
programmes and legislative reforms had been put in place , and a number of provisions to protect 
women had be en incorporated in to various labour laws to create a work environment for women 
workers . 
1.7.  As all Members knew, this Review was taking place at a time when the world ha d witnessed an 
unprecedented health crisis , with COVID -19 hitting economies across the wor ld in rapid succession. 
As a response to the pandemic, India implemented a series of measures targeting certain sectors of 
the economy, as well as  both the rural and urban poor.  
1.8.  Trade policy remained broadly unchanged during the period under review. India  made 
considerable efforts on trade facilitation , with a reduction in the number of documents required and 
a move towards electronic procedures. However, several features of trade policy which had raised 
concerns at the time of the last Review seem ed to remain in place. India continue d to rely on trade 
policy instruments , such as the tariff, export taxes, minimum import prices, import and export 
restrictions, and licensing, to attain domestic policy goals. In this regard, the Secretariat Report 
noted that the frequent changes made to these trade policy instruments render ed India's trade policy 
complex.  
1.9.  At the time of the last Review, it was recognized that the services sector was the main pillar of 
India's economy. This sector continue d to contribute substantially to economic growth. This could 
partly be attributed to India's continued liberalization of its FDI policies in several sectors, including 
in services, and to the implementation of reforms to improve supervision in the banking sector. 
Reforms had also been pursued in other infrastructure -related services, notably transportation.  WT/TPR/M/403 • India  
 
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  1.10.   While services dominate d the economy, agriculture and manufacturing continue d to receive 
significant support in the form of direct subsidies and other schemes. Agricult ure account ed for 
around 16% of GDP and for over half of employment. India continue d to use trade policy to regulate 
domestic prices and the supply of key commodities. Subsidies were provided for key inputs, such as 
fertilizers, water,  and electricity. As food security remain ed a major policy goal, India also procure d 
and provide d rice, wheat and coarse grains at low prices for approximately 75% of the rural 
population and 50% of the urban population; the food subsidy account ed for around 55% of the 
total b udgeted explicit subsidies. At the time of the last Review, Members had expressed concerns 
regarding these subsidies.  
1.11.   A survey of the advance questions submitted for this Review show ed the wide range of topics 
of interest to Members regarding India's trad e and investment regimes, including: tariffs and other 
charges on imports; the frequent use of contingency measures; the use of import and export 
restrictions; export support and other incentives; standards , and sanitary and phytosanitary 
requirements; sec tor-specific reservations, preferences and the use of the Make in India initiative in 
public procurement; the newly implemented National Intellectual Property Rights (NIPR) Policy and 
enforcement of intellectual property rights; agricultural policies , including import and export 
measures, and support policies; and policies relating to services , including foreign direct investment, 
and regulatory changes.  
1.12.   In total, India received over 881 advance written questions from 31 delegations for this 
Review, coverin g a broad range of topics. Prior to this meeting, India had already provided written 
replies to almost all of these questions , and the Chairperson  looked forward to hearing India's 
updates on these issues during the second day of the meeting . 
1.13.   This meeting was a good opportunity for Members to discuss in greater detail issues of interest 
to them and of systemic importance to the multilateral trading system. It was also an opportune 
moment for India to update the Membership on the impact of COVID -19 on its ec onomy and 
measures it ha d taken in response, given that the documentation prepared for this Review might  
not cover all measures taken. The Chairperson looked  forward to a fruitful exchange.  
1.14.   The Chairperson closed  his introductory remarks by wishing India a very successful seventh 
Trade Policy Review.  
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  2  OPENING STATEMENT BY THE REPRESENTATIVE OF INDIA ( MR. ANUP WADHAWAN ) 
2.1.  India is pleased to participate in its seventh Trade Policy Review by the WTO. I thank the WTO 
Secretariat team for their meticulous  work and the very comprehensive report for the Trade Policy 
Review, despite the challenges posed by the COVID -19 pandemic. Let me also convey our sincere 
thanks to the Permanent Representative of  Thailand, H.E.  Ambassador Sunanta Kangval kulkij, for 
agreei ng to be the d iscussant.  
2.2.  The Trade Policy Review Mechanism (TPRM) is one of the most important instruments in the 
discharge of the WTO’s monitoring function. We value the interest of the Mem bership in the R eview, 
and thank them for the questions posed to I ndia, which highlights the value of this process. We have 
already responded to more than 700 questions posed by 27 Members till 1st of January, and look 
forward to a fruitful interaction with the Membership over the next two days. We believe this is an 
opportunity to apprise the WTO M embership about the changes taking place in our economy and our 
trade and economic policy framework.  
COVID -19 
2.3.  India’s s eventh Trade Policy Review is taking place at a time when the world is witnessing an 
unprecedented health cr isis. The COVID -19 pandemic has been the most devastating global event 
in living memory for most of us. To effectively address the health and economic challenges posed 
by the COVID -19 pandemic, India made a far -reaching and all -encompassing effort comprehe nsively 
involving the entire framework and spread of the governmental machinery and civil society at all 
levels. We responded with determination and discipline to this challenge, with the welfare of both 
our citizens and the larger world community in mind.  Our immediate priority was to save lives with 
the least possible economic disruption. Our fatality rate has remained low and more than 98 out of 
every 100 infected persons have recovered.  
2.4.  The crisis stimulated innovation and enterprise. Starting with negl igible capacity in the 
production of several health and PPE related items, today we are manufacturing and exporting 
several of these products with significant cost -effectiveness, while maintaining the highest quality 
standards. We have recently accorded emergency use approval for two v accines that are 
manufactured in India. India remains committed to ensuring equitable and affordable access to 
vaccines for all and our vaccine production and delivery capacity will be used in full measure towards 
this end.  
2.5.  The pandemic has also reminded us of the importance of multilateralism and adherence to a 
rules-based global order in achieving the larger good in an equitable manner. Multilateral institutions 
like the WTO have an important role to play in building mutual t rust, in minimizing the impact of 
disruptions through cross -country cooperation and, most importantly, in ensuring global recovery 
with efficacy. In line with our Prime Minister’s commitment to make vaccines accessible and 
affordable for all, India along w ith other Members, has proposed an exemption from the related 
TRIPS Agreement provisions to make this possible. We are encouraged by the support this proposal 
has received from governments, political leaders, international organizations, civil society, media, 
and the people. We hope the entire WTO Membership will come together to support this endeavour 
wholeheartedly.  
Economic policy  
2.6.  Chair, when India's previous Trade Policy Review took place in 2015, the global economic 
situation was relatively more stable and certain. Since then, in the last 5 years, the Government has 
worked diligently to reform and transform the entire econom ic eco -system to meet the 
socio-economic aspirations of a billion plus Indians.  
2.7.  The reform agenda has been guided by the obje ctive of ensuring a non -intrusive regulatory 
environment aimed at less Government interference and a focus on governance targeting improved 
"ease of doing business ". The introduction of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) in July 2017, that 
amalgamated a larg e number of Central and State taxes into a single tax, was a most significant 
reform. A unified GST across the federal and State level addresses cascading of tax burden and 
paves the way for a common national market. Our direct tax reforms have ensured tha t corporate 
tax rates are amongst the lowest in the world. The Government has also made concerted efforts to WT/TPR/M/403 • India  
 
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  improve tax compliance and tax revenue collection through extensive automation of business 
processes and compliance procedures, while anonymizing a ssessments for transparency. The 
Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, enacted in 2016, provides a mechanism for the insolvency 
resolution of debtors in a time bound manner. Path -breaking reforms have been introduced in the 
labour sector, by assimilating 44 Unio n labour laws into 4 codes having substantively improved 
provisions.  
2.8.  We have put in place an enabling and investor friendly foreign direct investment (FDI) p olicy, 
which has opened up new sectors for FDI, enhanced sectoral limits in existing sectors and si mplified 
various conditions. FDI up to 100% is now permitted under the automatic route for most activities.  
2.9.  The Government also embarked on various national programmes like Make in India, Digital 
India, Startup India and Skill India to bring about rapid tr ansformation across sectors in our 
manufacturing environment. Digital India, for instance, is a flagship programme that is transforming 
India into a digitally empowered society and knowledge economy. The Startup India initiative is 
building a strong ecosys tem conducive for the growth of Startup businesses by empowering Startups 
to grow through innovation. To improve overall public service delivery, the Direct Benefits Transfer 
(DBT) initiative has been implemented. It has been able to contribute to a “Facel ess, Paperless, 
Cashless” economy and achieve greater transparency, better targeting and timely delivery of 
benefits, with improved accountability and reduced cost of delivery and leakages across public 
programs.  
2.10.   Infrastructure development has remained the cornerstone of our growth strategy and as part 
of that effort, the National Infrastructure Pipeline of about USD 1.5 tr illion was launched in 
December  2019. Strategic disinvestment in public sector undertakings is being undertaken to further 
increase private sector participation, create efficiencies and generate revenue, which will, in turn, 
enhance the capacity of the Government to invest in developmental priorities.  
2.11.   To address the economic disruption caused by the pandemic, the Government ann ounced a 
series of reforms, with an aim to strengthen the investment climate and position the country as an 
efficient manufacturing destination. Called Aatma Nirbhar Bharat, the initiative aims at attracting 
investment by encouraging entrepreneurship and i nnovation, through an efficient plug and play 
infrastructure and utilities environment, and further simplified approval processes, for businesses. 
It is not to be mistaken for an inward -looking stance but  is aimed at strengthening the economic 
eco-system f or India for it to engage in greater measure with the world with an enhanced capacity 
to better serve the global community.  
2.12.   Notwithstanding these significant efforts, the country still faces several challenges. While the 
share of agriculture in our GDP has  declined to 16%, about 40% of the country’s population still 
depends on agriculture for their livelihood. We also confront the challenge of ensuring food security, 
particularly for the large number of poor and vulnerable in the country. This challenge acc entuated 
during the COVID -19 pandemic, reinforcing the criticality of public stockholding programmes to meet 
the food security challenge.  
2.13.   Chair, we are working towards making India a USD 5 trillion economy by 2024 -25. Success 
in boosting investment and imp roving trade performance would substantially contribute towards the 
success of this endeavour. The fundamentals of the Indian economy, based on macroeconomic 
stability, are strong. This has improved the confidence of investors in our economy. FDI inflows h ave 
increased substantially in recent years with the highest ever FDI inflow of USD 74.39 billion in the 
financial year 2019 -20. Even in these testing times of the pandemic, investors continue to endorse 
India as a desirable investment destination, with FD I inflow rising by more than 10 % year-on-year 
to reach USD 40 billion in the first six months of 2020 -21. Improvement in the economic and 
business environment has enabled the country to better its position in the World Bank’s Doing 
Business ranking from 14 2 in 2015 to 63 in 2019.  
2.14.   The structural reforms introduced by the Government in the last few years, along with a host 
of measures taken after the outbreak of COVID -19, should enable the country to bounce back on its 
targeted growth path. The resilience and  robustness of the Indian economy is reflected in t he 
V-shaped recovery evident at the half -way stage of 2020 -21, wherein the year -on-year contraction 
of 7.5 % in real GDP in July -September is much smaller than the year -on-year contraction of 23.9 % 
in the p receding April -June quarter. With the favourable monsoon and growth in direct investment WT/TPR/M/403 • India  
 
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  along with a gradual increase in private consumption, the outlook for India holds out a promise of 
strong and steady growth, aided by a very supportive counter -cyclica l monetary policy, and positive 
news on the vaccine front.  
Trade p olicy  
2.15.   Trade is a vital aspect of India’s development strategy and an enabler of its economic 
competitiveness. Our Foreign Trade Policy (FTP) has sought to make trade a major contributor to 
the country’s economic growth and development. Its objective is to provide a stable, sustainable,  
and predictable policy environment for trade in merchandise and services. The Government aims to 
boost India’s exports of merchandise and services and raise In dia’s share in world exports from 
about 2% to 3.5%. The FTP has a special focus on trade facilitation. We have taken several measures 
to ease the foreign trade environment through further digitization of processes and their 
simplification for businesses. T he number of documents required for exports and imports have been 
reduced to three, comparable with international benchmarks. We are moving ahead in achieving the 
full functionality of the already significant electronic governance system, which has made th e 
approvals environment paperless and faceless.  
2.16.   During the Review period, India also ratified th e Trade Facilitation Agreement in April 2016 . 
The National Committee on Trade Facilitation (NCTF) was constituted and a pan -India roadmap for 
trade facilitation  was implemented under the National Trade Facili tation Action Plan (NTFAP) 
2017-2020. A new NTFAP for the period ending 2023 is under preparation with a vision to take 
additional reforms to bolster trade facilitation efforts and transform  the cross -border clearance 
eco-system through efficient, transparent, risk based, coordinated, digital, seamless and 
technology -driven procedures. These would be supported by state -of-the-art logistics infrastructure.  
2.17.   The trade facilitative measures initiated by the Govern ment have been instrumental in a 
significant reduction in the time and cost of border and documentary compliances for exports and 
imports in the last few years. This is reflected in the country’s ranking of 68 on the Trading Across 
Borders indicator in the  World Bank’s Doing Business Report 2020, a vast improvement from 126 in 
2015.  
2.18.   As a result of our efforts, India has continued steadily on a path of trade liberalization and is 
becoming increasingly integrated in the global economy. Our trade performance i s an indicator of 
the openness of our market. During the five -year period under review, exports grew at a compound 
annual growth rate of 4.5%, while imports grew by 5.7%. India’s share in global trade has registered 
an increase, with our exports, inclusive  of services, crossing the half a trillion -dollar mark for the 
first time in 2018 -19 to reach a new high of USD 538.1 billion. This feat was repeated in  2019-20. 
2.19.   Our tariff structure also reflects our commitment to an open and transparent trading system. 
While the average bound MFN rate for all products is 50%, the applied rates are much lower. The 
simple average MFN applied tariff is about 14% for all products and 11% for non -agricultural 
products. We have a simple tariff structure, with ad valorem duties on about 94% of our tariff lines. 
Non ad valorem duties apply to a mere 6 % of India’s tariff lines.  
2.20.   The Secretari at in its report, as also some M embers, have co mmented on the increase in 
anti-dumping investigations initiated during the review period. In al l cases we have complied with 
the letter and spirit of the relevant WTO provisions. And, measures, where i mposed, impinge on a 
miniscule less than 1%  of our total imports. The increase in these cases is only a reflection of the 
increase in incidence of unf air trade practices experienced by us. We have been duly notifying these 
measures to the WTO, as done recently, for our new anti -circumvention rules.  
2.21.   The Secretariat and some M embers have also highlighted apprehension in respect of India’s 
efforts against counterfeit and pirated goods, based on the OECD -EUIPO study which uses data for 
a select period from 2014 to 20 16. We, however, believe that such concerns based on limited data 
sources, are mis -founded. With the implementation of the National IPR Policy 2 016, India has taken 
significant strides in strengthening its Intellectual Property Rights regime. A slew of initiatives and 
reforms have been introduced since then, as part of a concrete action plan to bring down timelines, 
rationalize compliance requirem ents, facilitate IP registration,  and improve IP protection for the right 
holders. This is reflected in India being ranked among the top 50 innovative economies of the world 
by WIPO under the Global Innovation Index (GII) rankings.  WT/TPR/M/403 • India  
 
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  India and the Multilater al Trading System  
2.22.   The multilateral trading system has faced unprecedented challenges in the  past few years. As 
a founding M ember of the WTO, India remains committed to the centrality of the WTO for an 
integrated, rules -based global trading system. India ha s been an active participant in the efforts to 
safeguard and strengthen the WTO for promoting development and inclusivity. In order to facilitate 
a consensus towards this goal, India took the initiative to host two informal mini -ministerial meetings 
in New  Delhi, in March 2018 and May 2019.  
2.23.   The growth in the number of free trade agreements is creating a new trading landscape, with 
the potential to bring about enormous changes in global trade dynamics. These developments must 
go hand in hand with maintaining  and strengthening the centrality of the WTO in the global 
commerce and trade architecture. The multilateral trading system not only needs to keep pace with 
new developments, but it also needs to be reformed to address several existing asymmetries in 
current trade rules which places developing countries at a disadvantage.  
2.24.   The COVID -19 pandemic has further accentuated the inherent weaknesses and inequ alities in 
the global economic and  trading system. India strongly believes that the multilateral trading syst em 
needs urgent reforms to make it robust and responsive to address the new challenges confronting 
us. In this regard, India along with other M embers, has tabled refor m proposals that provide a 
long-term roadmap for reforming the ailing and imbalanced current global trading system. We seek 
immediate restoration of the Appellate Body, in a manner that preserves the essential features of a 
two-tier dispute settlement system, negative consensus and independence of the dispute settlement 
mechanis m. We believe that the resolution of the impasse in the Appellate Body must precede other 
reforms. Also, the agenda for WTO reform must be development centric, preserving the core values 
of the multilateral trading system, strengthening the provisions of s pecial and differential treatment 
in existing and future agreements. It must also preserve the Member -driven multilateral character 
of WTO, including consensus -based decision making. The existing imbalances and asymmetries need 
to be addressed to ensure a level playing field for the develo ping M embers, including LDCs.  
2.25.   In order to deal with the immediate fall out of the COVID -19 pandemic, we have advocated a 
short-term package of effective measures that includes the temporary TRIPS waiver proposal to 
increas e manufacturing capacity and ensure timely and affordable availability of new diagnostics, 
therapeutics and vaccines for COVID -19; a permanent solution for Public Stockholding (PSH) for 
food security purposes to address food security concern; and a multila teral initiative that provides 
for easier access to medical services under mode -4 to facilitate easier cross -border movement of 
health care professionals.  
2.26.   Notwithstanding the deficiencies in the existing system, India remains an active participant in 
the o ngoing negotiations at the WTO, including the fisheries subsidy negotiations. We have 
advocated the urgent need for strong disciplines to regulate certain harmful fisheries subsidies, while 
preserving the livelihood of subsistence artisanal and small -scale fishermen in developing countries, 
including LDCs. We are also playing a constructive role in agriculture and services negotiations and 
are making efforts to reinvigorate the Work Program on Electronic Commerce and Domestic 
Regulations.  
2.27.   We also remain com mitted to assisting the LDCs for their enhanced participation in 
international trade. During the r eview period, we further simplified our market access for LDCs by 
re-working India’s Duty -Free Tariff Preference Scheme of 2008. India now provides LDCs duty free 
market access on 96 % of tariff lines and preferential duties on 2.2% of the lines. India is the fourth 
biggest export destination for LDCs. We have also notified preferential treatment to services and 
service suppliers of LDCs, wherein, we provide tec hnical assistance, capacity building and Market 
access under Mode 4. This is testimony to our c ommitment to “inclusive globaliz ation”.  
Concluding r emarks  
2.28.   In conclusion , I would like to say that twenty years ago India occupied a small space on the 
global t rade canvas. Today, foreign trade is a significant part of the Indian economy and its foreign 
trade framework is closely and inextricably embedded as a priority area in the overall economic 
policy framework. We  are striving to further catalys e trade as an engine of growth, to overcome the 
challenge of poverty, unemployment,  and income inequality. We are confident, as we move along WT/TPR/M/403 • India  
 
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  this trajectory, that India will play an increasingly important role in global trade in the years to come. 
India will also conti nue to play an important rol e here at the WTO  to protect, preserve and strengthen 
the multilateral trading system.  
2.29.   I thank the Members , once again , for their interest in India’s Trade Policy Review and look 
forward to our interaction over the next two days . 
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  3  STATEMENT BY THE DISCUSSANT  
Introduction  
3.1.  I would like  to extend a very warm welcome to Dr.  Anup Wadhawan, Commerce Secretary, and 
the rest of the Indian delegation to this virtual meeting. I would also like to express my personal 
appreciation for the remarkable work accomplished by Ambassador Brajendra Navnit and his 
competent team.  
3.2.  It is with  great honour  and privilege that I provide today's discussant remarks for t he 7th Trade 
Policy Review (TPR)  of India. The TPR has been a fundamental mechanism of the WTO to promote 
transparency and understanding of Members' trade policies and practices. Constructive assessments 
and peer review contribute to improved adherence by all Members to rules, discipline s and 
commitments made under the WTO Agreements and hence to the smoother functioning of the 
multilateral trading system.  
3.3.  My role as a discussant is to introduce facts and encourage discussions. The high-quality  reports 
conducted by the Secretariat and the  Government of India provide an excellent starting point for my 
analysis.  
Macroeconomic o verview  
3.4.  Let me start by highlighting significant points related to the macroeconomic context of India’s 
trade policy.  
3.5.  According to the World Bank national accounts da ta, India emerged as the world’s 5th largest 
economy in 2019 with current GDP of USD 2,869 billion. India's economic growth continued to be 
strong for most of the review period. Robust economic growth  led to an improvement in 
socio-economic indicators, suc h as per -capita income and life expectancy. However, since the first 
half of 2019, economic expansion has slowed down mainly due to lower consumption and 
investment.  
3.6.  During the review period, economic reforms were undertaken with an emphasis on increasing  
efficiency and inclusiveness. Structural reforms and investment to improve infrastructure were also 
continued. Additionally, a number of government programs were introduced to focus on poverty 
alleviation.  
3.7.  Services continued to be the most competitive sec tor during the review period. Growth was led 
by trade and repair services, communications, hotels and tourism, and transport services. 
Manufacturing also showed robust growth from 2014 to 2019, driven mainly by machinery and 
equipment, and food products. The agricultural sector also performed relatively well .  
3.8.  In view of merchandise trade, petroleum and mineral products, precious stones and metals, 
chemicals, and textiles are the largest components of exports. Imports continue to be dominated by 
petroleum a nd mineral products. The European Union remains the major destination for exports, 
followed by the United States whereas almost 40% of India's imports originated in Asia, mostly from 
China.  
3.9.  During the review period, the general thrust of its trade policies  remained relatively unchanged. 
India has signed 16 regional trade agreements, as notified to the WT O. India has also provided 
duty-free and quota -free treatment to LDCs.  
3.10.   In light of COVID -19, the Government responded to the pandemic by launching the 
Atman irbhar Bharat Abhiyan or the Self -reliant India program in May 2020. It aims to provide a 
stimulus package to certain sectors of the economy, as well as the rural and urban poor to respond 
to the effects of the current health crisis.  
Key Developments  
3.11.   Turning to key developments since India’s last Review.  WT/TPR/M/403 • India  
 
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  3.12.   India has continued to gradually open sectors to FDI. Significant improvements include 
permitting up to 100% foreign -equity ownership in a larger number of agricultural activities through 
the automatic rou te; automatic FDI of up to 100% in the defence  industry, broadcasting carriage 
services, and telecommunications services.  
3.13.   On tariffs, in 2015 , Members voiced concerns with respect to the complexity and uncertainty 
in tariffs and other charges including an additional duty and a special additional duty. Although the 
basic tariff structure remains unchanged since the last review, the introduction of the Goods and 
Services Tax (GST) to harmonize the indirect tax system in 2017 removed the additional duties and 
special additional duties previously added to the basic tariff. Thus, the adoption of the GST has been 
a major improvement regarding other duties and charges affecting imports.  
3.14.   In relation to agriculture, during the last review , Members urged India to ste p up its efforts 
to liberalize this sector. I am pleased to learn that India undertook various reforms in agriculture 
during the review period. Under the Agricultural Export Policy, processed and organic agricultural 
products are not subject to export rest rictions, and imports of agricultural products that are used 
for such exports were to be liberalized. Efforts have also been made to improve the marketing of 
agricultural products, including through the introduction of an electronic National Agricultural M arket 
in 2016, aiming at unifying the markets across the states. I believe that these tremendous efforts 
of India will contribute to further development and to the liberalization of this sector.  
3.15.   Concerning  TBT measures, in the previous R eview, some Members  asked questions regarding 
India's technical regulations, including how they are related to international standards. It is worth 
mentioning that over the review period , India substantially amended its standardization legislation; 
the Bureau of Indian Stand ards (BIS) Act, 1986 was replaced by the BIS Act, 2016. Under the new 
Act, multiple conformity assessment schemes, including self -declaration of conformity, became 
possible.  
3.16.   On government procurement, I welcome the initiatives that India has been taking to  improve 
its government procurement system by establishing a more centralized system in line with the 
requirements of the WTO Agreement on Government Procurement, to which India is an observer. 
During the review period, the General Financial Rules, which i s the main legislation regulating 
government procurement, were amended several times to introduce new procurement methods and 
enforce the use of electronic procurement.  
3.17.   Regarding trade facilitation, it is worth noting that during the period under review, India 
implemented several measures to facilitate trade, such as a reduction in the number of documents 
required, and the automation of the customs clearance system for imports and exports.  
3.18.   The last development I need to underline is about intellectual prop erty rights (IPR). In 2016, 
India introduced its first National Intellectual Property Rights Policy. It is aimed at creating national 
awareness of the importance of IPR protection through training and outreach , as well as offers 
financial support and fisca l incentives to encourage IPR generation and commercialization. I would 
be interested to know if India has developed any concrete plans to achieve the objectives set out in 
the NIPR Policy.  
Suggestions for improvement  
3.19.   Overall, India has demonstrated impressive improvements in many areas. The existing reform 
process of India is going to be a positive and a forward -looking endeavour. However, although  a lot 
has been achieved, I am of the view that there is room for further improvements.  
3.20.   For example, tariff reforms, particularly in terms of simplification and liberalization of its tariff 
structure, as well as narrowing the gap between applied and bound tariffs would certainly enhance 
transparency and predictability of India’s trade regimes. An application of trade remedies measures 
with special care would ensure that trade flows as smoothly and predictably as possible. The 
streamlining of import measures and the harmonization of its standards with international standards 
would help facilitate  trade. In addition, given India's continued need for better infrastructure, 
subsidies in agriculture should be reduced and better targeted, to free up resources for investment.  WT/TPR/M/403 • India  
 
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  Conclusion  
3.21.   Finally, let me underline that being the world’s 5th largest economy in terms of nominal GDP, 
India is increasingly becoming an important trading partner for many WTO Members. Given its size 
and profile in the global economy, India’s consistent efforts to improve its trade and investment 
regimes will foster a more o pen and transparent business environment, which significantly benefits 
its trading partners and contribute to sustaining India’s strong economic growth.  
3.22.   In addition, India has been playing a proactive role in strengthening and promoting 
multilateral tradin g system. India is a key and invaluable contributor to the WTO both in the regular 
work and in various negotiations, including, the discussions on t he WTO reform, TRIPS waivers, 
e-commerce, agriculture, and services. I hope that India will continue to be a  staunch supporter of 
the rules -based multilateral trading system in the spirit of constructive engagement for the benefit 
of all.  
3.23.    To conclude, in the 7th TPR of India, we are offered a valuable opportunity to review the 
policies and practices of one of t he most important Members among us. In this regard, I look forward 
to constructive discussions today, and to India I offer my best wishes for this TPR.  
  WT/TPR/M/403 • India  
 
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  4  STATEMENTS BY MEMBERS  
CANADA  
4.1.  We welcome this opportunity to participate in the 7th Trade Policy Review  of India.  
4.2.  First, we would like to commend India for its economic performance in recent years. Indeed, 
India recently became th e world’s fifth largest economy, and has had annual GDP growth regularly 
above 7 %.  
4.3.  Unfortunately, 2020 has been a hard year for  the global economy and the pandemic has left 
its mark on global trade. Many nations have had to implement policies aimed at bolstering our 
economies. We note that India joined Canada and other nations in the G20 in working to ensure that 
any measures take n did not impose unjustified or harmful burdens on workers, businesses, and our 
global economies. Canada continues to urge that COVID -19 measures be temporary, transparent, 
targeted, and consistent with WTO rules.  
4.4.  Canada recognizes and applauds the importa nt role that India has taken as a global leader in 
developing, producing, and distributing a potential COVID -19 vaccine. India is a critical partner when 
it comes to pharmaceuticals, producing 60 percent of the world’s va ccines and accounting for 
60-80% of the United Nations’ annual vaccine procurement. In the  global challenge against 
COVID -19, India’s efforts are vital to preventing deaths and ensuring that the world recovers as 
quickly as possible.  
4.5.  We will continue to work with India to make progress on c ommitments contained in the G20 
Trade and Investment Ministers statements on COVID -19, to support and promote global 
collaboration to address economic challenges and prepare for post -pandemic recovery. In this 
context, Canada notes that there are some meas ures pertaining to certain agriculture products that 
negatively impact the predictability farmers and international traders need for a quick and 
sustainable post -COVID  recovery. These measures include high tariffs, quantitative import 
restrictions and unne cessarily trade restrictive sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures on pulses.  
4.6.  More generally, Canada would  like to acknowledge that there have been noteworthy changes 
over the last five years to India’s trade and economic policies.   
4.7.  This includes recent regulatory reforms to its investment policy, which have resulted in opening  
of new sectors for foreign direct investment.  
4.8.  We also note the adoption of a National Intellectual Property Rights policy in 2016 and welcome 
India’s accessio n to a number of World Intellectual Property Organization treaties during the review 
period.  
4.9.  In the area of services, Canada continues to note India’s strong competitive advantage and 
encourages India to leverage these advantages by undertaking deeper tra de commitments and 
locking in recent liberalizations.   
4.10.   In terms of government procurement, India has made important strides in modernizing its 
government procurement regime - in particular, some of the recent amendments it has made to the 
General Financia l Rules. However, there is some ongoing concern with respect to India’s highly 
decentralized government procurement structure and the growing use of procurement initiatives 
that impose local content requirements favouring domestic Indian businesses over fo reign suppliers.  
4.11.   We also wish to acknowledge India’s ambitious bilateral and regional trade policy agenda, and 
we commend India’s active ongoing pursuit of trade agreements with Canada, Australia, the 
European Union,  and the United States. The conclusion o f high-quality  trade and investment 
agreements would contribute to India’s economic development.   
4.12.   In this context, Canada is committed to resolving outstanding trade issues with India and 
working toward the conclusion of negotiations for both a Comprehens ive Economic Partnership 
Agreement (CEPA) and a Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (FIPA).  WT/TPR/M/403 • India  
 
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  4.13.   We equally encourage India to further engage in multilateral trade negotiations to further 
expand international opportunities for India’s exporter s, importers, and consumers. To this end, 
Canada looks forward to India’s constructive engagement in order to achieve pragmatic, confidence 
building outcomes at the upcoming 12th Ministerial Conference.  
4.14.   Additionally, we encourage India to support the Buen os Aires Declaration and join the new 
Informal Working Group on Trade and Women’s Economic Empowerment at the WTO. Likewise, we 
encourage India’s participation in initiatives such as the WTO Informal Working Group on Micro, 
Small and Medium -sized Enterpris es to ensure that barriers to international trade are effectively 
removed for traditionally under -represented groups as India continues to grow its economy and 
expand its markets.  
4.15.   India’s WTO notifications record is very good. Since its last Trade Policy Review, India took 
significant steps to ensure its notifications are update to date. One area where we encourage India 
to do further work is concerning its agriculture export subsidies (ES:1) notifications where its last 
notification was for 2009.  
4.16.   Finally , returning to the overall business environment, we congratulate India on its recent 
improvement on the “Ease of Doing Business Index”, a jump from 77 to 63. We encourage India to 
continue its work to improve th e overall business environment.  Reducing tari ffs, eliminating 
unnecessary technical barriers and sanitary and phytosanitary measures, and simplifying taxation 
and bureaucratic processes would make India an even more attractive place to do business and to 
invest.  
4.17.   We thank India for the answers provide d to Canada's questions, we will carefully review them 
and may submit follow up questions . We wish the Indian delegation success with this Trade Policy 
Review.  
AUSTRALIA  
4.18.   India is a key economic and strategic partner for Australia. The June 2020 decision by Prime 
Minister Morrison and Prime Minister Modi to elevate the bilateral relationship to a Comprehensive 
Strategic Partnership underscores our mutual commitment to enhancing engagement across all 
spheres, i ncluding trade and investment.  
4.19.   Austral ia recogniz es India’s achievement in undertaking significant reforms and improving its 
ranking in the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business rankings from 142 to 63 in just six years. India’s 
ongoing transformation has had a head -turning effect on Australian investors and businesses. 
Australia is closely following India’s ambitious reform program me and looks forward to further 
liberalisation measures which enhance India’s trade competitiveness and attractiveness to 
international investors. As these reforms evo lve, Australia hopes to see these changes being 
reflected in India’s engagement at the WTO.  
4.20.   Australia remains concerned about India’s agricultural policy and trade settings, particularly 
those that distort trade and production – making global markets less  predictable and more unstable. 
Australia encourages India to use its reform program to ensure its agricultural policy and trade 
settings facilitate a thriving and market -based global trading system that supports the livelihoods of 
all Members’ populations . As one of the world’s largest producers and markets for agricultural 
products, what India does matters.  
4.21.   Australia and other Members have raised concerns about policies and measures employed by 
India during India’s previous TPRs, and we regret to see the y have continued during the review 
period. India also maintained significant levels of production -distorting domestic support for key 
agricultural crops and  continued to incentivise exports of subsidised products. India's domestic 
support for sugarcane and  its export subsidies for sugar are of particular concern to Australia, which 
is why Australia has joined Brazil and Guatemala in initiating a dispute to challenge those measures. 
In the interests of all Members, including developing Members, Australia urg es India to ensure its 
agricultural measures are fair, predictable and conform with India’s WTO obligations, including by 
providing complete and more detailed notifications. Improved notifications from India would help 
ensure measures supporting its agricu ltural sector are transparent and alleviate some of the 
immediate impacts on global trade and production, particularly when implemented at short notice.  WT/TPR/M/403 • India  
 
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  4.22.   In keeping with its regional and global prominence, India plays a major role in the WTO. 
Australia and  India share a commitment to the rules -based multilateral trading system, and to 
maintaining the WTO’s centrality in that system. A number of difficult and systemic issues confront 
all Members. We recogni ze the important role India can play as we pursue ef fective and meaningful 
reforms in areas such as levelling the playing field, special and differential treatment,  and the dispute 
settlement system. Australia also calls on India to play a leadership role in encouraging constructive 
engagement in negotiatio ns on agriculture to help achieve an outcome at the 12th Ministerial 
Conference. As a major player in global services trade and a leader in e -commerce, participation by 
India in the joint statement initiatives on e -commerce and services domestic regulation  would be 
strongly in India’s interests.  
4.23.   Total two -way trade between Australia and India climbed to USD 29.3 billion in 2019. In view 
of this remarkable growth, Prime Ministers Morrison and Modi have agreed to re -engage on a 
bilateral Comprehensive Economi c Cooperation Agreement where a mutually agreed way forward 
can be found, while suitably considering earlier bilateral discussions. The door also remains open for 
India to re -join the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership at any time following entry into 
force of the Agreement.  
4.24.   India and Australia have both been impacted by the global economic downturn precipitated 
by COVID -19. Expanding economic linkages and enhancing the resilience of supply chains will be 
key as we seek to strengthen our economies in the COVID -19 recovery phase. The December 2020 
report to the Indian Government by the Confederation of Indian Industries – Australia Economic 
Strategy – along with the 2018 independent report to the Australian Government – An India 
Economic Strategy to 2035 – provide practical advice on ways we can achieve this.   
4.25.   Australia looks forward to continuing to work with India to strengthen the rules -based 
multilateral trading system and realise the potential for increased bilateral trade and investment 
growth.  
NEW  ZEALAND  
4.26.   New Zealand welcomes the opportunity to comment on the seventh Trade Policy Re view of 
the Republic of India. New Zealand highly values its trade and economic relationship with India. In 
the year to September 2020, India was New Zealand’s eleventh largest two -way trading partner. 
India was also our eighth largest export market.  
4.27.   New Zealand and India both have a s trong interest in the promotion and protection of an 
open, inclusive, rules -based global trading system. In these unprecedented times of COVID -19, it is 
more important than ever that we continue to remain committed to rules -based, open trade.  With 
the ris e in the number of non -tariff measures globally, it is also important to ensure that these 
measures are designed in a transparent manner and meet legitimate policy goals without unduly 
restricting or distorting trade.  
4.28.   New Zealand submitted a number of ques tions and would like to thank India for the responses 
provided. As these responses were only just received,  we will consider them and provide further 
comment as appropriate in due course.  
4.29.   Within these questions, New Zealand noted the comment in pa ragraph 4 .4 of the Secretariat 
report that India’s controls on agricultural imports and exports vary from year to year. These 
changes contribute to uncertainty for agricultural trade, impact export supply chains, and affect 
India’s image as a reliable customer and supplier. New Zealand encourages India to ensure greater 
transparency and predictability within its trade policy in order to promote more efficient and reliable 
trade.  
4.30.   New Zealand acknowledges that India seeks to intervene on items that are essential to f ood 
security. We sought clarity on the criteria India uses to define such essential items. The criteria 
provided in India’s response include “importance of a product in poor peoples' consumption basket, 
nutritional considerations, traditional food habits a cross regions.” New Zealand would welcome a 
comprehensive list of these criteria and requests information on where that list is made publically 
available for transparency purposes.  WT/TPR/M/403 • India  
 
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  4.31.   New Zealand welcomes India’s goal of reducing poverty and helping household s shift to 
cleaner fuels. We encourage India to share its experiences in working towards this goal, including 
on the implementation of targeted fossil fuel subsidies schemes for natural gas, kerosene, and 
petroleum. We thank India for the information provi ded on the PM Ujjawala Yojana programme to 
provide deposit -free LPG connection to rural poor women. We would welcome further information 
on the implementation of this scheme and others which contribute toward the ambitious goals 
outlined.  
4.32.   Paragraph 4.46 of  the Secretariat r eport indicated that export subsidies are being offered on 
skim milk products in Gujarat and Maharashtra states, but that India does not appear to have notified 
this during the review period. We sought more information on these subsidies,  and welcome India’s 
response confirming that an export subsidy notification will be provided in due course.  
4.33.   New Zealand noted the information in the Secretariat r eport (Table 4.5) that India has a range 
of measures in place to increase fish production, in cluding financial assistance for the conversion 
and construction of tuna long liners. We sought more information from India on this assistance, and 
welcome India’s response, which included assurances that these policies do not contribute to 
overcapacity an d overfishing in the tuna fisheries of the Indian Ocean. We welcome further 
information on this point and encourage on -going transparency of measures affecting fisheries in 
the Indian Ocean.  
4.34.   A recent development has been the conclusion of the Regional Comp rehensive Economic 
Partnership (RCEP) negotiation. New Zealand acknowledges India’s decision to step back from RCEP, 
but notes the door remains open to India, with a fast -track accession process in place, should India 
be in a position to reconsider joining . 
4.35.   In conclusion, New Zealand welcomes the commitment of India to th e multilateral trading 
system. We welcome the progress made by India since the last Trade Policy Review. New Zealand 
remains committed to continuing and deepening its economic relationship with India through 
mutually beneficial trade and investment. And we look forward to continuing to work with India here 
at the WTO to advance our common interests in the rules -based multilateral trading system.  
OMAN  
4.36.   It is an honour  and a pleasure to partici pate in the 7th Trade Policy Review of India. And we 
welcome the Indian delegation in New Delhi and the Indian team here in Geneva.  
4.37.   We commend H.E. Minister Anup Wadhawan, minister of Commerce and Industry of India for 
an excellent and comprehensive openin g statement.  
4.38.   India is a key economic and strategic partner for Oman. The Sultanate of Oman and India 
enjoy deep rooted historical, political and economic relations. In addition to trade, our countries 
cooperate in various fields, including on defense, indu stry and tourism.  
4.39.   The volume of trade exchange between the Sultanate of Oman and India for the year 2019 in 
exports was OMR 725 m illion equivalent to USD 1.88 b illion, and in imports was OMR 444.8 m illion 
equivalent to USD 1.16 b illion.  
4.40.   The volume of Indi an investments registered in the Sultanate of Oman until 2019 from various 
sectors (trade - construction - real estate - services) amounted to OMR 3.9 b illion equivalent to 
USD 10 billion.  
4.41.   The important demographic weight of India and the unique geographi cal location of the 
Sultanate make our countries a catalyst for economic growth and development in the region.  
4.42.   Oman congratulates India on the strong performance of its economy during the period under 
review, which grew on average by 7.4% until 2018. This impressive economic growth led to an 
improvement in socio -economic indicators, such as per -capita income and li fe expectancy.  WT/TPR/M/403 • India  
 
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  4.43.   We are glad to note that economic reforms continued throughout this period and were focused 
on increasing efficiency and inclusiveness. Measures to improve efficiency included a number of 
steps on trad e and investment facilitation.  
4.44.   Oman wel comes the steps taken by the Government of India, since the last review, to remove 
some products including onions and sugar from the list of exports subject to state trading. We hope 
that in the near future more products will be removed from this list, thu s allowing for their export 
by eligible exporters.  
4.45.    Oman also welcomes the issuance of India’s National Intellectual Property Rights policy and 
the revision of standardization legislation.  
4.46.    In the area of trade  remedies, Oman considers that Members have a  right to use 
anti-dumping measures, so long as they are not used as a tool for protectionism. We note that India 
is currently the biggest user of anti -dumping measures in the WTO. We wish to reiterate the 
importance of following the procedures of the Anti dumping Agreement and relevant WTO dispute 
settlement jurisprudence in carrying out AD investigations.  
4.47.   Oman considers India a key player at the WTO and supports its unwavering commitment to 
highlighting the needs and concerns of developing and least -develo ped members, including SDT and 
the TRIPS Article 6 waiver. India’s policies and practices have a positive impact on the functioning 
of the multilateral trading system.  
4.48.   To conclude, the Sultanate of Oman wishes India a very successful Trade Policy R eview.  
HONG  KONG,  CHINA  
4.49.   I would like to extend a warm welcome to India’s delegation led by Dr Anup Wadhawan , 
Secretary of Department of Commerce. I would also like to thank the discussant, Ambassador 
Sunanta, for sharing with us her insights, and the Secretariat f or preparing the comprehensive 
report.  
4.50.   Hong Kong, China and India have maintained long -standing trade and economic relations, 
and we value India a s an important trading partner.  In 2019, India was Hong Kong, China’s 8th 
largest trading partner in merchandi se trade, while Hong Kong, China was India’s 5th largest trading 
partner.  Our total m erchandise trade amounted to USD 24.6 billion in 2019.  
4.51.   Today, I would like to highlight three specific areas in India’s trade policies, namely trade 
facilitation, anti -dumping measures and trade in services.  
4.52.   On trade facilitation, India ratified the Agreement on Trade Facilitation in April 2016 and 
designated the majority of its commitments as Category A. As of January 2020, India had 
impleme nted 78.2% of its commitments.  
4.53.   We are pleased to note that India introduced further trade facilitating measures during the 
reporting period, covering many different areas, such as reduction in the documents required for 
customs process, deferred payment of customs duties, automation of the customs clearance system 
for imports and exports, a new Authorised Economic Operator Programme which allows for 
self-certification by the Authorised Economic Operators, and direct port delivery and entry which 
reduces the release time and costs for imp orts and exports.  
4.54.   India has also introduced electronic measures to further facilitate trade, including the Single 
Window Interface for Facilitation of Trade and the Indi an Customs Electronic Gateway. These 
measures provide services such as integrated risk assessment, electronic filing of bills and supporting 
documents, e -payment of customs duties, electronic signing of customs documents, as well as online 
clearances.  
4.55.   We commend India’s continued efforts in simplifying and modernising its customs procedures  
to facilitate trade, in response to a rapidly changing economic and technological environment.  WT/TPR/M/403 • India  
 
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  4.56.   Further, we are pleased to note that India has shared with the Committee on Trade Facilitation 
an illustrative list of measures taken in res ponse to the COVID -19 pandemic.  These measures include 
a dedicated single window COVID -19 helpdesk for traders, 24/7 customs clearance facilities at 
designated ports, e -delivery of customs documents. We applaud India’s dedicated efforts in 
facilitating trade and maintaining t ransparency during this challenging time.  
4.57.   Turning to anti -dumping measures, we note with concern that India continues to be an  active 
user of such measures. First, during 2015 -19, India initiated 233 i nvestigations, compared with 
82 investigations during t he previous review period 2011 -14. Second, of the 53 anti -dumping 
measures subject to sunset reviews during 2015 -19, anti -dumping duties were extended in 
28 measures, i.e. 53% of the cases. Third, 58 anti -dumping measures imposed by India have been 
in plac e for over ten years.  
4.58.   While we respect Members’ legitimate rights to pursue necessary trade remedy actions, we 
believe that such rights should be exercised with caution and due restraint to ensure that measures 
are taken only if they are fully justified and are not used for protectionist purposes.  
4.59.   We would also urge India to terminate the anti -dumping investigations concerning imports of 
“sun and/or dust control film”, “flat rolled products of stainless steel” and “newsprint in rolls or 
sheets, excluding glazed newsprint” against Hong Kong, China.  
4.60.   On trade in services, we note that the sector remained robust during the review period, which 
contributed more than half of India’s GDP and continued to be the main  driver of India’s GDP growth. 
In this  connection, we welcome India’s continuous efforts to liberalise its trade policies and measures  
related to trade in services. We would encourage India to consider further liberalising the trade 
regime for foreign services providers, for instance, by revie wing restrictive market -access conditions 
or reducing the limits on foreign ownership.  
4.61.   Hong Kong, China looks forward to fostering even closer trade and economic relations with 
India in the years ahead, in particular, in trade in services in sectors such a s transport and travel 
services.  
4.62.   We thank India for its replies to our written questions an d wish India a very successful Trade 
Policy Review.  
REPUBLIC  OF KOREA  
4.63.   I would like to welcome the delegation of India for its seventh Trade Policy Review. I thank 
Dr. Anup Wadhawan for his comprehensive presentation. My appreciation also goes to Ambassador 
Sunanta Kangvalkulkij (Thailand) for her contribution as a discussant and to the Secretariat for its 
informative report.  
4.64.   India is the fifth largest economy in the world, and it is remarkable that India continued to 
register a strong growth at an average rate of 7.4% during the review period prior to the pandemic.  
4.65.   In that period, India’s trade volume saw a sustained expansion of 4.5% for export and 5.7% 
for import, fuelled  by the successful strategy on market diversification and the infrastructure 
developments aimed at better access to energy, healthcare,  and logistics in particular.  
4.66.   In addition, foreign direct investment (FDI) witnessed a significant growth thanks to  India’s 
efforts to forge a better trading environment that is well displayed in the World Bank’s Ease of Doing 
Business report. In this report, India was ranked at 63rd in 2019 up from 142nd only four years 
before. Prime Minister Modi pledged to achieve t op 50, and I am confident that it will bear fruit as 
early as this year.   
4.67.   Internally, a number of trade facilitative measures have  been implemented. They include  
automation of customs clearance system; Customs Single Window Interface; and the establishmen t 
of the National Committee on Trade Facilitation (NCTF) which reviews the implementation of Trade 
Facilitation Agreement (TFA) provisions.  WT/TPR/M/403 • India  
 
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  4.68.   In the WTO, India remains one of the key players in upholding the values of rule -based 
multilateral trading system with its engagements in a wide ranging areas such as the WTO reform, 
fisheries subsid ies and the role of S&DT. Looking forward, I would like to encourage India’s 
corresponding involvements in other agendas, e -commerce and services domestic regulatio ns in 
particular, to stay in lockstep with the evolution of our trade environment.  
4.69.   Economic relations between Korea and India entered into new phase in 2010 following the 
Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, the CEPA. Thanks to the FTA, our bilat eral trade 
volume has surged by 70% during the last decade (2009 -2019), with India being the 11th largest 
trading partner of Korea. The CEPA is currently under revision for the additional liberalization and 
Korea hopes to resume our consultation following a brief lapse during an unexpected pandemic.  
4.70.   Now, let me turn to some of trade concerns Korea would like to share with India.  
4.71.   First, we request that India take a critical look at its new regulations on the rules of origin, 
namely Customs Administration of Rules of Origin under Trade Agreement Rules 2020  (CAROTAR 
2020). Korean firms raise in creasing concerns which include : an excessive demand for submission 
of origin related information; retrospective applications of law; and arbitrary interpretation of the 
regulation by the customs authorities.  
4.72.   Second, as pointed out in the Secretariat report, India is an active user of trade remedies 
where Korean products are subject to the second most numerous investigations by the Indian 
Government. We ask India to take more cautious approach in applying anti -dumping and safeguard 
measures. In the same vein, we emphasize that all relevant investigations shall be conducted in 
conformity with provisions of our bilateral FTA and the WTO. Taking this opportunity, Korea once 
again requests that India participate in the consultation of compensation procedures for India’s 
safeguard measures.  
4.73.   Likewise, it is highly encouraged that import regulations in general shall be taken based on 
the principle of transparency in the least tra de restrictive manner especially as regards (a) import 
license restrictions, (b) lesser duty rules , and (c) the operation of BIS  (Bureau of Indian Standards).  
4.74.   On these issues, Korea has submitted advance written questions and we would appreciate 
India’s response in due course.  
4.75.   The year 2020 was period of global setback, but I am certain that India carries a great 
potential to turn this challenge into an opportu nity. Korea looks forward to continuing a close 
cooperation with India in building back better our trade and economy.  
JAPAN  
4.76.   Let me first extend a warm welcome to this Trade Policy Review (TPR) meeting to the 
distinguished delegation of India as the first o fficial meeting of the WTO in 2021. Happy New Year 
to all delegates. Japan would like to expre ss its appreciation to India’s G overnment and the WTO 
Secretariat for their dedicated efforts to prepare the insightful reports shared with the members in 
advance  of today's review.  
4.77.   During the period under review, Japan welcomes India’s improvement reforms, including the 
enactment of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, the introduction of the Goods and Services Tax 
(GST), and the abolition of the Dividend Distribut ion Tax (DDT), as introduced under Prime Minister 
Modi’s leadership. In addition, Japan commends India’s efforts to improve its business environment 
and attract foreign investment through simplifying its tax system and administrative procedures, 
which have  long been concerns to Japanese businesses.  
4.78.   Turning to trade policy, Japan acknowledges that India’s 16 Regional Trade Agreements 
(RTAs) have taken effect and various RTAs are currently under negotiation. Japan appreciates India’s 
engagement to further co mplement the Multilateral Trading System through these RTAs. Also, 
regarding India’s decision to withdraw from the negotiation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic 
Partnership (RCEP), Japan wishes to reiterate the importance of India’s participation in t he RCEP 
and looks forward to maintaining our close communication on this matter.  WT/TPR/M/403 • India  
 
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  4.79.   Japan acknowledges India’s contribution to developing the Multilateral Trading System as a 
key Member that occupies a large amount of trade volume in both goods and services. In this regard, 
Japan appreciates India for joining the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) and the Information 
Technology Agreement (ITA). We look forward to seeing India join the expanded ITA.  
4.80.   Japan commends India’s measures to enhance trade facilitation , notably its introduction of 
the Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) programme and the Single Window Interface for Facilitation 
of Trade (SWIFT). We are also pleased to note the latest amendment to the Foreign Trade Policy 
(FTP) in 2017, including a reduct ion in the number of documents required for export and import, 
and the establishment of the National Committee on Trade Facilitation.  
4.81.   India has been striving to strengthen the competitiveness of its domestic industries under the 
“Make in India” and “Self -reliant India” initiatives. At the same time, however, India has been taking 
trade -restrictive measures such as raising tariff rates and import restrictions in order to protect its 
domestic industries.  
4.82.   Under the “Make in India” policy, India has been succe ssively raising customs duties on ICT 
products, including smartphones, which is not in line with its duty -free commitments in the WTO. 
We call on India to eliminate these measures as early as possible and to abolish other import 
restrictive measures on app liances such as air conditioners as well as TVs.  
4.83.   Regarding India’s technical standardization for steel products, the applications for product 
certification have not been approved within a reasonable time by the Ministry of Steel. Furthermore, 
applicants ha ve been additionally required to shift to local procurement and to submit a plan for 
future technical assistance for domestic enterprises. We are concerned about the possibility of India 
administering these schemes in an improper manner.  
4.84.   On food measures t aken by India, such as food labelling regulations and minimum date 
durability requirements, we would like to ask India to prove the scientific rationale behind the 
measures and we do hope India will implement them in a way that is not unnecessarily restric tive 
and in accordance with the WTO requirements.  
4.85.   In 2015, India launched the Digital India Initiative in order to expand its digital trade. In terms 
of promoting the entry of foreign enterprises into India’s services market, Japan is interested in how 
India aims to implement its trade policy to develop the major service sectors including computers 
and information, as well as telecommunication.  
4.86.   In conclusion, Japan appreciates India’s efforts to improve its trade environment since the 
previous review. At th e same time, we encourage India to address the i ssues we have addressed 
today. We thank India for the answers it has provided to our written questions . 
4.87.   Last but not least, Japan wishes India a very successful and productive R eview.  
NORWAY  
4.88.   Norway would like  to join others in welcoming the  delegation from India to this Trade Policy 
Review and  thank the Secretariat and the Government of India for their reports.  
4.89.   Like India, Norway attaches great importance to the multilateral trading system and the vital 
role of the WTO. India is an original member of the WTO and a key player. India' s active and 
constructive role in ongoing negotiations and reform efforts is both expected and required in order 
to build a multilateral trading system that is both resilient and re levant to the challenges of the 21st 
century.  
4.90.   The pandemic has made us crucially aware of the interdependency of the world and of both 
the strength and fragility of the international trading system. Access to markets, operational supply 
chains and open tra de routes are key to ensure access to essential goods during the pandemic, as 
well as for economic reconstruction and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals 
post-COVID . WT/TPR/M/403 • India  
 
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  4.91.   The bilateral Ocean Dialogue between India and Norway as well as cooperat ion on the “Blue 
Economy” agenda are at the center of our engagement with India. Closely related to this agenda is 
a successful conclusion of the fisheries subsidies negotiations in the WTO, which is important for 
reaching the UN Sustainable Development Go als (SDG 14.6). Many such subsidies undermine the 
livelihood of fishers, their families and communities, both in the short and long term. Eliminating 
subsidies that contribute to overcapacity and overfishing is vital, in all waters and in all parts of the 
world.  
4.92.   India and Norway enjoy a strong and longstanding commercial relationship. The Norwegian 
Pension Fund Global is one of India’s largest single foreign f inancial investors, with approximately  
USD 9.4 billion invested in various Indian compani es. India n nationals constitute  the largest group 
of migrant workers in Norway from outside the Schengen Area. More than 120 Norwegian companies 
operate in India, and trade between our countries is growing steadily.  
4.93.   We believe, however, that there is a large untapped potential for trade and investment. We 
value the establishment in 2019 of the Indo -Norwegian Dialogue on Trade and Investments to take 
this collaboration further. Cooperation in health -related  technology,  shipping, aquaculture, 
renewable energy,  and smart grids are examples of areas being discussed.  
4.94.   Furthermore, we are confident that a free -trade agreement between  India and the EFTA states 
would bring bilateral trade to a new level. We hope to see renewed engagement and a resumption 
of the protracted negotiations with a view to conclude an agreement to the benefit of all parties. 
This is a top priority for the Norw egian government and our business community.   
4.95.   In the 2015 Nairobi Ministerial Decision on export competition, developing members were 
given a prolonged deadline for phasing out export subsidies, in conformity with Article 9.4 in the 
Agreement on Agricultu re. We have in our written questions asked whether India consider the price 
support for skimmed milk powder to be consistent with the Nairobi Ministerial Decision on export 
competition. We thank the delegation of India for the reply provided yesterday, whi ch we will study 
carefully.  
4.96.   Another priority area for Norway is open market access for maritime transportation. We have 
taken good note of the info rmation in the report from the S ecretariat (para graph  4.152) that India 
has relaxed the cabotage rules for c ertain vessels and commodity types for foreign flagged vessels. 
At the same time, we note with some concern the information in the R eport (para graph  4.149) 
regarding measures to stimulate transportation by Indian built vessels, by a so -called “right of fir st 
refusal” measure.  
4.97.   Against this background, we have raised a question regarding the impact of this measure, 
and how this measure relates to the principles of freedom of navigation and merchant shipping, as 
well as the WTO rules for trade in goods. We th ank the delegation of India for the reply provided 
yesterday, which we will study carefully.  
4.98.   In conclusion, I would like to wish the delegation of India a successful TPR.  
CHILE  
4.99.   We welcome the delegation of India, led by Dr Anup Wadhawan, Secretary of the Department 
of Trade, and we commend this country on participating once again in this necessary transparency 
exercise.  
4.100.   A warm welcome also goes to the Permanent Representative of India to the WTO, 
Ambassador Brajendra Navnit, as well as the team from the Mi ssion. We also wish to welcome the 
presentation made by the Permanent Representative of Thailand, Ambassador Sunanta 
Kangvalkulkij, as well as the excellent work done by the Secretariat and the Government of India in 
preparing their respective reports.  
4.101.   Relations between Chile and India date back to 1949. Since then, ties have been increasing 
at all levels, which has been reflected in a large number of visits by high -level authorities, which 
have led to closer political and trade relations between the two co untries. The most recent visit was 
to Chile by President Ram Nath Kovind in April 2019, when a number of agreements were signed.  WT/TPR/M/403 • India  
 
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  4.102.   During the period under review, India's strong economic growth has been remarkable, with 
an average rate of 7.4% until 2018/201 9. This had a positive impact on its economy, which was 
reflected, for example, in its World Bank "Doing Business 2020" ranking, where India jumped 
14 places to 63rd position, placing itself on the list of the ten most -improved nations for the third 
consec utive year. Its main developments were achieved in the resolution of insolvency, construction 
permits, cross -border trade and business creation. However, the impact of COVID -19 on the country 
has been strong. This, as is the case throughout the world, wil l have a severe impact on its growth, 
although it is predicted that it will make a quick recovery in 2021. We hope that this will happen.  
4.103.   In terms of trade policy formulation and implementation, there have been no major changes 
since the last Review. While  we note that, during the current review period, India implemented a 
number of measures aimed at facilitating trade, it also continued to frequently change its trade 
policies and measures to address domestic concerns.  
4.104.   In this regard, in order to support do mestic production and exports, India continues to offer 
a number of incentives in the form of direct subsidies and price support programmes, tariff 
concessions and exemptions, and preferential interest rates. Many of these programmes are sector 
specific, i ncluding agriculture.  
4.105.   In this area, we welcome the fact that India continues to apply import and export restrictions, 
tariff quotas, the State trading regime, and minimum import prices, in order to meet its food security 
objectives. While this is understan dable, several of these measures result in the provision of 
substantial direct and indirect support to the country's farmers. Unfortunately, due to the large 
volumes involved, this domestic support has an adverse effect on world agricultural trade, as it 
creates distortions that run counter to the agreements concluded on this subject in the WTO.  
4.106.   On the bilateral trade front, Chile and India signed a Partial Scope Agreement (PSA) in 
March  2006, which entered into force on 17 August 2007. Subsequently, the Pa rtial Scope 
Agreement was extended on 16 May 2017. The first round of negotiations on the extension of the 
PSA took place on 10 and 11 December 2019 in New Delhi. Among the main outcomes of the meeting 
was the agreement of the procedural rules of the Commi ttees on Sanitary and Phytosanitary 
Measures and Technical Barriers to Trade. The second round of negotiations will be conducted via 
videoconference. For now, Chile is waiting for India to complete its domestic consultations to 
determine the tariff offer t hat it will submit.  
4.107.   Other agreements concluded between the two countries include the Double Taxation 
Avoidance Agreement, signed in March 2020, and the Air Services Agreement, in force since 
September 2010.  
4.108.   While the signing of such agreements led to a significant increase in bilateral trade from 
2015 to 2019, a sharp fall occurred between January and October 2020. This was the result of the 
pandemic, and also some of the steps that were taken to address it.  
4.109.   In this regard, it should be noted that, in May 2020, the Indian Ministry of Finance announced 
the rise in import tariffs from 30% to 100% for fresh and dried shelled nuts on the Indian market. 
In this connection, it should be mentioned that Chile is the s econd largest exporter of nuts to India, 
with more than 5,000 tons exported in 2017, which amounted to USD 19.6 million, 87% more than 
in the previous year. This indicated an interesting increase in trade in this area, which has, for the 
time being, slowed . High -level discussions have continued recently, and we look forward to resolving 
this and other situations as soon as possible.  
4.110.   For this Review, Chile submitted 25 questions covering a number of topics, such as the 
strengthening of the multilateral syste m, fisheries subsidies, measures directly affecting imports, 
agricultural subsidies, financial services, telecommunications and air transport. These matters are 
of interest to Chile and our questions seek to improve our bilateral trade relationship with In dia. We 
thank India in advance for the delivery of its respective replies, we wish it a successful review of its 
seventh Trade Policy.  
  WT/TPR/M/403 • India  
 
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  THE SEPARATE  CUSTOMS  TERRITORY  OF TAIWAN,  PENGHU,  KINMEN  AND  MATSU  
4.111.   On behalf of the Separate Customs Territory of Taiwa n, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu, we 
would like to extend our warm welcome to Dr Anup Wadhawan and his delegation for India’s 7th 
Trade Policy R eview.  
4.112.   We also thank Ambassador  Sunanta for her discussions, as well as the Secretariat for the 
excellent work in pr eparing the report. We trust this TRP will be very constructive.  
4.113.   On India’s economic performance, we are pleased to note that its economic growth continued 
to be robust for most part of the review period, averaging an impressive 7.4% all the way to the 
fiscal year of 2018. A number of ambitious policies and reforms have been implemented during this 
period. In particular, the long -awaited Goods and Services Tax (GST) was successfully introduced in 
2017. The GST effectively alleviated the concerns of traders and investors about complex tax 
structures and issues of double taxation. This was a remarkable achievement in tax reform.  
4.114.   The Indian Government’s unwavering commitment on improving business environment and 
modernizing infrastructures is also commendable. Several measures have been taken to facilitate 
trade flow. They reduce restriction on foreign investment, simplify administrative procedures, and 
digitalize numerous government services. As a result of these reforms, India’s ranking in the World 
Bank’s Eas e of Doing Business significantly advanced from 142nd  in 2015 to 63rd in 2019. These 
impressive accomplishments may well explain the substantial increase of FDI inflow in recent years 
and the highest ever record of USD 74.4 billion in 2019.  
4.115.   Turning to our  bilateral relationship, India is an indispensable partner in our New Southbound 
Policy. In 2019, our bilateral trade with India was USD 5.7 billion in value, which made India our 
17th largest trading partner. Our investments in India also increased rapidl y in recent years, 
covering the ICT, steel, machinery, auto parts, and plastics sectors totalling  USD 2 billion. It is 
estimated that these investments have brought more than 65,000 job opportunities in India. These 
figures indicate that our bilateral econ omic and trade ties are robust and prosperous.  
4.116.   Building on these strengths, I would like to highlight a few areas of India’s trade policy and 
practices which we invite India to consider improving.  
4.117.   Firstly, as indicated in the Secretariat’s report, the frequent change of tariff rates has created 
uncertainty for traders and investors. A transparent and predictable tariff regime enables enterprises 
to make the best business decisions according to the p revailing market condition. On the contrary, 
frequent,  or unexpected tariff increases leave trading partners and investors with no time to adjust 
their business plans. In some cases, unexpected tariff increase had caused disruption of market 
order and even  led to failure of some well -planned investment projects.  
4.118.   Secondly, the Indian Ministry of Commerce and Industry announced last June that an import 
restrictive measure has been imposed on new pneumatic tyres. Since then, foreign companies have 
encountered  difficulties in obtaining import licenses from the Indian authority for the aftermarket 
tyres. We urge India to observe the rules provided in the Agreement on Import Licensing Procedures. 
In particular, non -automatic licensing procedures should be impleme nted in a transparent and 
predictable manner and should have no trade -restrictive or trade distortive effects on imports.  
4.119.   Thirdly, a number of technical regulations concerning mandatory product certification has 
become barriers to market access for foreign  traders during the COVID -19 pandemic. For example, 
acquiring a Standard Mark from the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) would require on -site factory 
visit. However, the current pandemic has made the timely on -site factory visit very difficult or even 
impossible for manufacturers located outside India. Without completing the required process, those 
foreign manufactures are not able to have access to the market as planned. We would urge India to 
consider a suspension of, or a temporary exemption from, the on -site factory visit requirements for 
foreign manufacturers during the difficult pandemic period.  
4.120.   Lastly, we note that India remains one of the frequent users of anti -dumping measures. 
During the review period of 2015 -2019, India initiated 233 investigation s, which was a sharp 
increase from 82 investigations during the previous review period. While we respect India’s 
legitimate use of the measure to tackle unfair trade practices, we urge India to take a more prudent WT/TPR/M/403 • India  
 
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  approach when initiating anti -dumping inve stigations so as to ensure a fair and transparent 
procedure and to avoid the measure becoming a systemic barrier to trade.  
4.121.   Let me also take this opportunity to commend Ambassador Brajendra Navnit for his 
leadership in advocating development agendas in the WTO. We remain ready to work constructively 
with India on matters of our mutual interests.  
UKRAINE  
4.122.   On behalf of Ukraine, I would like to welcome the delegation of India led by Dr Anup 
Wadhawan, Secretary, Department of Commerce, and express  our appreciation for his constructive 
engagement in this TPR exercise. We also appreciate the substantial work of the TPRB Chair, the 
WTO Secretariat and the meaningful analysis of the discussant, H.E. Ms Sunanta Kangvalkulkij 
(Thailand).  
4.123.   The seventh Trade P olicy Review of India provides us a good opportunity to understand 
recent developments in the country’s economic, trade and investment policies since its last Review.  
4.124.   We commend India for its strong economic growth for most of the period under review, 
averaging 7.4%, which also led to an improvement in socio -economic indicators, such as per -capita 
income and life expectancy.  
4.125.   Ukraine acknowledges efforts of the Government of India in  the implementation of structural 
reforms and  in ensuring inclusive growth a nd believes that these reforms, along with a number of 
short- and longer -term measures undertaken for minimizing the advers e economic impact of 
COVID -19, will enable India to bounce back on its targeted growth path.  
4.126.   We appreciate the improvement in the tra ding environment resulted in gaining higher 
positions of India in the World Bank’s Doing Business ranking (from 142 in 2015 to 63 in 2019), in 
the Global Innovation Index (from 81 in 2015 to 52 in 2019) and in the World Bank Logistics 
Performance Index (fr om 54 in 2014 to 44 in 2018). These developments witnessed positive changes 
in the Indian business climate and suggest more confidence for traders.  
4.127.   At a multilateral level, we would like to emphasize India’s commitment to the WTO rules and 
principles and i ts active participation in the efforts to safeguard and strengthen the multilateral 
trading system, which is transparent and inclusive. We note steps made by India in trade facilitation 
area such as a reduction in the number of documents required, and the automation of the customs 
clearance system for imports and exports. Ukraine is also thankful to India for its initiatives and call 
for joint actions and global solidarity aimed at putting in place a c ollective response to the COVID -19 
pandemic.  
4.128.   In terms of  our bilateral trade relati ons, India is an important trading  partner of Ukraine.  
4.129.   According to the trade statistics, our bilateral trade in goods and services incre ased by 1.3% 
in 2017 -2019 to USD  2.9 billion with a substantial increase in trade in servic es (by 43.2% during 
the mentioned period). As of January -September 2020, our  bilateral trade amounted to 
USD 1.8 billion (decreased by 7,1%), exports of goods - decreased by  8.3%, imports - decreased 
by 4. 2%. Our bilateral merchandise trade covers signific ant range of agricultural and industrial 
goods.  
4.130.   Within this TPR, Ukraine has submitted a number of specific questions related to bilateral 
investment agreements, granting FDI approvals, applied tariffs for some agricultural goods, import 
prohibitions, appl ication of minimum import prices, import licensing, the TRQ fill rate for raw sugar, 
regulations on financial services, national IPR policy.  
4.131.   While expressing gratitude for the given responses, we are looking forward to developing 
further partnership and en hanced trade with India and wish the delegation of India successful TPR.  
  WT/TPR/M/403 • India  
 
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  BRAZIL  
4.132.   I extend a warm welcome to the Indian delegation, headed Dr Anup Wadhawan, Secretary 
of the Department of Commerce and to the Indian team in Geneva, led by Ambassador Brajend ra 
Navnit. I thank you, Chair, for the very useful introduction, and the discussant, Ambassador Sunanta 
Kangvalkulkij, for her very thoughtful comments, as well as the Secretariat, for its report.  
4.133.   My delegation gives the highest importance to engaging in this Trade Policy Review, as both 
our countries have longstanding and deep ties in the international arena, forged by shared values 
such as democracy and the rule of law.  
4.134.   For almost fifteen years, Braz il and India have formed a Strategic Partnership aimed at 
harnessing the significant convergence of interests and the development aspirations of both 
countries. The bilateral agenda has been dynamic, spanning cooperation initiatives in science and 
technolo gy, defence , culture, education,  energy, space,  and environment.  The two countries also 
cooperate intensely in international organizations and groupings, such as the G20, BRICS, and IBSA.  
4.135.   This strategic partnership has recently been rekindled by the State visit of President Jair 
Bolsonaro on January 2020 for the Republic Day celebrations, upon the invitation of Prime -Minister 
Modi. On the occasion, both leaders committed to doubling bilateral trade by 2022 and important 
agreements were signed, such as the I nvestment Facilitation and Cooperation Agreement and a 
Memorandum of Understanding on Bioenergy.  
4.136.   The Indian G overnment has given clear indication, as stated in its report, of its commitment 
to overcoming the country’s structural bottlenecks , as well as ext ending economic benefits across 
all social strata. Brazil greatly commends India on the ultimate underlying objective of these reforms: 
improve the quality of life for the common citizen. That is also the fundamental purpose of all our 
national public poli cies. These policies should encourage more trade convergence and ease of trade 
flows as to properly capture the shared benefits of commerce.  
4.137.   In particular, Brazil recognizes India’s efforts of administrative, labor and agricultural 
reforms of the last few years, modernizing various sectors of its economy. These initiatives are in 
marked contrast, however, with the recently adopted “Self -reliant India” policies, particularly 
industrial support measures contingent on local content. In the same vein, Brazil al so views with 
concern recent tariff hikes on its already high tariff schedule. We are concerned that these 
movements tend towards less trade, hindering advances of the Indian economy.  
4.138.   We also recognize Indian efforts in its reform to liberalize its agricultural sector and would 
like to see this same effort from India in WTO negotiations in agriculture. India could be more 
constructive in agricultural negotiations, especially on a less contentious issue, such as to exempt 
the World Food Program from t he scope of export restrictions, a proposal that has had India's support 
in the G20 since 2011. This is even more worrying if one interprets it as part of a political stance 
against meaningful outcomes in agriculture in MC -12. The lack of progress in agric ulture at the next 
Ministerial Conference puts the future of multilateral agricultural negotiations at risk and might 
consolidate the perception that it will be necessary to invest in new negotiating formats in order to 
promote reform and address this "unf inished business" at the WTO.  
4.139.   We also regret that India’s domestic agriculture reforms did not include the sugar sector. 
India’s longstanding support measures for sugar and sugarcane are suppressing global prices by up 
to 25% and cause losses of around USD  1.3 billion per year. Brazil is the world’s largest sugar 
exporter, so these measures are specially da maging to Brazilian producers. Brazil, together with 
Australia and Guatemala, has initiated dispute settlement proceedings questioning these 
programmes a nd hopes that India reforms the sector, by removing trade -distorting subsidies and 
minimum -price rules for the sector. On the other hand, Brazil commends India’s efforts in increasing 
levels of ethanol blended in its fuel, moving away from harmful interven tion in the sugar market, 
and stands ready to cooperate in the area, as per the aforementioned MoU.  
4.140.   Finally, on sanitary issues, we welcome India’s approval of the international sanitary 
certificate for Brazilian poultry, but have concerns regarding “non -GMO” certification for certain 
agricultural products.  WT/TPR/M/403 • India  
 
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  4.141.   The COVID -19 pandemic negatively affected trade flows around the world and our bilateral 
trade is no exception. Trade flows in 2020 retracted around 7% from a total of USD 7.1 billion in 
2019, with suga r corresponding to almost 20% of Brazilian export to India. The bilateral investment 
landscape is much more developed, with Indian pharmaceutical, information technology and 
infrastructure companies in Brazil, and Brazilian joint ventures in the areas of f irearms and munitions 
and transportation. The recent signing of the investment facilitation agreement will certainly further 
promote mutual investment. Brazil is convinced that there is ample potential to deepen and intensify 
investment flows and trade in goods and services with India.  
4.142.   Brazil has sent questions on the aforementioned minimum -price policies, sanitary issues, 
tariff hikes, as well as certain export restrictions and licenses. We thank the written replies to our 
questions and look forward to add itional responses. They will be forwarded to Brasilia for 
examination and follow -up as appropriate.  
4.143.   Brazil wishes India a very successful and productive Trade Policy Review.  
ICELAND  
4.144.   Iceland welcomes Dr. Anup Wadhawan, Secretary, Department of Commerce – and the 
distinguished delega tion of India to their seventh Trade Policy R eview – and we express appreciation 
to the WTO Secretariat, as well as to India, for the reports prepared for this trade policy review, as 
well as the discussant, Ambassador Sunanta Kan gvalkulkij from Thailand for her excellent framing 
of the issues for our discussion today.  
4.145.   Prior to the COVID -19 pandemic, India had been experiencing strong economic growth and 
average GDP growth rate of 7.4% until 2018/19. Iceland welcomes the various in itiatives undertaken 
by India for raising productivity and inclusive growth.  
4.146.   India is conducting bilateral free trade negotiations with a number of trading partners. The 
EFTA States, Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein have been engaged in free trade negotiati ons with India 
since 2008. A total of 16 rounds have been held. India is a very important trading partner for the 
EFTA states and continued negotiations are a high priority for Icela nd. Bilateral trade between 
Iceland and India has been steadily increasing  in the last years.  
4.147.   As the impact of the COVID -19 pandemic are still unfolding, new challenges arise related to 
trade and trade -related activ ities. It is now widely recogniz ed that women are likely to be harder hit 
than men by trade disruptions caused by the pandemic.  
4.148.   In September 2020, a group of WTO M embers agreed to establish an Informal Working 
Group on Trade and Gender, marking the next phase of the Buenos Aires initiative kick-started  in 
2017 to increase the participation of women in trade.  
4.149.   The tra de policy review provides an excellent opportunity to share best practices of 
respective experiences relating to policies and program mes to encourage women's participation in 
national and international trade and thus promoting sustainable socioeconomic development.  
4.150.   Iceland submitted advance written questions on the participation of women in the economy 
of India. The answers will be usefu l as we gather best practices.  
4.151.   Iceland appreciates India’s active engagement in WTO and their continued support for the 
multilateral trading system. We wish the delegation of India e very success for their seventh Trade 
Policy R eview.  
SINGAPORE  ON BEHALF  OF ASEAN  
4.152.   Singapore is making this statement on behalf of ASEAN. It is a great pleasure to warmly 
welcome virtually, India’s delegation headed by Dr Anup Wadhawan, Secretary, Department of 
Commerce to their 7th Trade Policy Review.  We would also like to thank  H.E. Ambassador Sunanta 
Kangvalkulkij of Thailand for her role as discussant and the Secretariat for their excellent report.  WT/TPR/M/403 • India  
 
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  4.153.   ASEAN -India dialogue relations have grown rapidly from a sectoral dialogue partnership in 
1992 to a full dialogue partnership in December 1995. The relationship was further elevated with 
the convening of the ASEAN -India Summit in 2002 in Phnom Penh, Cambodia based on the close 
historical and cultural ties that served as the fundamental interest of both regions. Ever since, India 
has become a key trade and investment partner for ASEAN.  
4.154.   Total two -way merchandise trade between ASEAN and Indi a grew by 9.8 per cent from 
USD 73.6 b illion in 2017 to USD  80.8 billion in 2018 and bilateral trade between ASEAN and India 
reached USD 77.0 billio n in 2019, based on preliminary ASEAN data. This has placed India as 
ASEAN’s sixth largest trading partner.  
4.155.   India was also ASEAN’s eight largest external source of Foreign Direc t Investment (FDI) 
between 2014 -2018 with FDI flows from India to ASEAN amounti ng to USD 5.8 billion. Meanwhile, 
foreign direct investments (FDI) flow from India to ASEAN increased by 54 % from USD  1.02 billion 
in 2018 to USD 1.89 billion in 2019.  
4.156.   ASEAN also welcomes the Seventeenth AEM -India Consultation on 29 August 2020 in sharing  
views on the multilateral trading system as a driver for economic recovery in the post -pandemic 
period and specifically, on the commencement of the scoping exercise for the review of the AITIGA 
to upgrade the AITIGA to be more user -friendly, simple, and t rade facilitative for businesses. ASEAN 
looks forward to further strengthening bilateral ties and collaboration to enhance trade and 
investment with India.  
4.157.   ASEAN would like to thank India for providing fund to ASEAN to support for implementing 
Plan of Acti on of ASEAN -India Partnership for Peace, Progress and Shared Prosperity (2016 -2020). 
ASEAN looks forward to continued cooperation with India to advance the implementation of the 
future direction of ASEAN -India Strategic Partnership through the implementati on of the new Plan 
of Action (2021 -2025) and other programs (such as revising the Rules of Operation and Management 
of ASEAN -India Green Fund (AIGF), and other Engagement) . 
4.158.   The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID -19) pandemic has brought unprecedented 
challeng es, in which ASEAN and India have reaffirmed its commitment to enhancing collaboration 
as well as accelerating the post -pandemic recovery process in both the ASEAN region and India.  
4.159.   ASEAN acknowledges the important contributions by India in strengthening t he World Trade 
Organization (WTO), including on the subject of WTO reform. Together with India, ASEAN reaffirms 
our strong commitment to uphold an open, inclusive, transparent, non -discriminatory and 
rules-based multilateral trading system as embodied in t he WTO.  
4.160.   Some ASEAN Member States have submitted written questions to India. We would like to 
express our appreciation in advance to India and  look forward to having its written responses.  
4.161.   Finally, we would like to conclude our remarks by expressing our app reciation for India’s 
continued support for ASEAN, and to the delegation of India for their hard work at the WTO. Our 
appreciation also goes to H.E. Ambassador Brajendra Navnit, the Permanent Representative of India 
to the WTO and his team for their close and good cooperation between our Missions here in Geneva. 
We wish India every success for its 7th Trade Policy Review.  
SINGAPORE  
4.162.   Singapore welcomes the Indian delegation led by Dr Wadhawan, Secretary of the 
Department of Commerce. We thank India fo r the comprehensive Government r eport  and statement. 
We also thank TPRB Chair, Ambassador Aspelund, the Secretariat, and the discussant, Ambassador 
Sunanta of Thailand for their insightful perspectives. Allow me to make three points.  
4.163.   First, India and Singapore are strategic partners with longstanding economic ties. Bilateral 
economic relations are anchored by the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA), 
which was signed in 2005. CECA is an ambitious bilateral FTA that has provided a firm fo undation 
for bilateral economic relations to blossom. In 2019, bilateral trade totaled USD  18.3 billion, making 
India Singapore’s 10th largest trading partner. The two -way investment flows have also continued WT/TPR/M/403 • India  
 
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  to grow significantly. In recent years, Singapo re has become the top foreign investor in India1, 
reflecting our continued confidence in India’s economic growth. Notably, our strong bilateral 
partnership has remained resilient in the face of the COVID -19 pandemic. India and Singapore have 
ensured that supply chains are kept intact and facilitated the flow of essential health supplies and 
food products, among others.  
4.164.   Second,  as a founding Member of the WTO and a major trading nation, India has benefitted 
from the rules -based multilateral trading system.  India's merchandise trade as a share of GDP is 
sizeable, at around 30%. Its exports and imports have averaged annual growth of around 8% and 
11% respectively .2 In this context, it is logical to assume that India’s national interests are best 
served by st rengthening the WTO, especially in recent years when the rules -based multilateral 
trading system has faced unprecedented challenges. Hence, India has maintained an active role in 
the WTO and convened two informal mini -ministerial meetings in March 2018 and  May 2019.  
4.165.   Going forward, we hope that India will continue to play an important role in the WTO by 
taking a constructive and pragmatic approach that will enable the WTO to deliver substantive 
outcomes and buttress its relevance. This is urgent as the WTO is at a crossroads and it must adapt 
and reform to meet modern business realities. Now, more than ever, Members must look to the 
future rather than harp on the past.   
4.166.   Third, Singapore continues to have confidence that India’s vast economic potential can b e 
realized by sharpening some aspects of its trade policy.  
• One, we note that India’s trade policy has remained largely unchanged since the previous 
TPR, with continued heavy reliance on instruments such as the tariff, export taxes, minimum 
import prices, import and export restrictions, and licensing. While this has shielded the 
domestic economy from some fluctuations, the frequent policy changes have created 
uncertainties for businesses.   
• Two, Singapore is pleased to note that India has taken steps to imp rove trade facilitation, 
as seen through the development of a national single window, creation of an electronic 
certificate of origin platform and ratification of the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA). 
We encourage India to simplify its criteria for i mport and export documentation.  
• Three , Singapore welcomes India’s policies to invest in infrastructure development, and its 
openness to working with foreign investors to expand the sector. We urge India to sustain 
the continuous easing of regulatory appro vals for infrastructure investments. Additionally, 
we hope India will provide more transparency and certainty on related processes.  
 
4.167.   To conclude, Singapore will continue to strengthen our cooperation with India at all levels. 
We wish India every success for this TPR.  
UNITED  KINGDOM  
4.168.   On behalf of Her Majesty’s Government, I am pleased to welcome the Indian delegation led 
by Secretary Dr Anup Wadhawan. I would also like to express our gratitude to the Government of 
India and to colleagues from the WT O Secretariat for their respective reports. I would also like to 
thank you, Chair, and Her Excellency Ms . Sunanta Kangvalkulkij, the discussant, for facilitating this 
Trade Policy Review.  
4.169.   Since its last Trade Policy Review in 2015, India has made several e conomic reforms 
including the introduction of the Goods and Services Tax, successive liberalisation of sectoral FDI 
caps, and the wide -ranging business environment reforms aimed at making at -and-behind the 
border processes more efficient. We welcome the st eps taken by the Government of India to 
liberalise its market and its work towards addressing market barriers with the United Kingdom.  
4.170.   We also welcome the Government of India’s ratification of the Trade Facilitation Agreement 
on 22 April 2016 and the fact  that it has implemented 78.2% of its commitments so far. We support 
every effort to implement the remaining TFA commitments by February 2022.  
 
1 Fact Sheet on Foreign Direct Investment , from April 2000 to September 2020.  Department for Promotion 
of Industry and Internal Trade. Accessed in December 2020.  
2 WTO Secretariat r eport, page 26.  WT/TPR/M/403 • India  
 
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  4.171.   However, there remain several areas which we would like to bring to the Government of 
India’s attention, and we hope that in doing so we can address these areas to facilitate increased 
trade between our countries. For example, we think greater harmonisation with international 
technical standards, and more predictability for foreign investors in import/export policy could help 
boost foreign direct investment and job creation in India.  
4.172.   We appreciate India’s timely responses to our written questions and look forward to receiving 
answers to the follow -up questions we have submitted.  
4.173.   India is a significant trading partne r to the United Kingdom, in both goods and services, and 
our countries share a mutual commitment to work together to increase prosperity both within and 
beyond our own borders. The COVID pandemic has underlined in particular the importance of the 
strong he althcare ties between our two countries, and we will continue to work with the Government 
of India to provide the best quality healthcare to our respective citizens.  
4.174.   We would like to thank our Indian counterparts for their continued engagement and wish 
them a successful Trade Policy Review.  
SWITZERLAND  
4.175.   I would like to extend a very warm welcome to India’s delegation led by H.E. Dr Anup 
Wadhawan, Secretary, Department of Commerce. Let me also  thank the discussant, 
H.E. Mrs Sunanta Kangvalkulkij (Thailand) , for her thoughtful observations and the Secretariat for 
their substantive contributions to this trade policy review.  
4.176.   India's economy continued its strong growth during the period under review to become the 
4th largest economy in the world. The continuous e conomic reforms of the Indian Government that 
focus on increasing efficiency and inclusiveness did contribute to this positive development and led 
to an improvement in socio -economic indicators, such as per -capita income and life expectancy. We 
expect that  this tremendous economic performance will map into a higher level of India’s integration 
into the global economy and a larger contribution to world trade. In this regard, we regret that the 
average applied tariff rate has been continuously on the rise sin ce 2014 to reach a level of 14.3% 
in 2020.  
4.177.   We took note of the self -reliant India programme, which aims at reducing India's dependence 
on imports and promoting India as a net exporter, particularly in some key areas, such as medical 
devices, defence  technology, coal, and minerals. We expect this po licy will not translate into further 
trade -restrictive policies.  
4.178.   The COVID -19 pandemic is significantly affecting the Indian population and its economy. In 
order to best absorb the economic impact of the pandemic, India has adopted a comprehensive 
stabiliz ation and stimulus package amounting to 10 % of India's GDP. Within this context, we would 
like to encourage the Indian authorities to direct the economic and trade policy measures more 
towards integration into global value chains. Competition should be fos tered by dismantling existing 
barriers to foreign trade and foreign investment.  
4.179.   Switzerland has well taken note of India's decision not to join for the time being the Regional 
Comprehensive Economic Partnership, RCEP. We also noticed that despite many ongo ing 
negotiations India did not conclude any broad -based trade agreement in the period under review. 
Indeed, Switzerland and the other EFTA States have been negotiating a Trade and Economic 
Partnership Agreement (TEPA) with India for 13 years now. In these challenging times the conclusion 
of comprehensive trade agreements such as the TEPA could in our view contribute to economic 
recovery for all parties.  
4.180.   Switzerland had submitted a series of questions in writing. We are thankful to India for 
providing answe rs in due course. This said, we would have preferred to have more time to review 
the answers, in particular because this TPR process spreads over 2020 and 2021 with a holiday 
break in the middle. An alternative timeline would have been a relevant option in  this regard.  
4.181.   Switzerland raised concerns over a number of aspects, including taxes on the importation of 
watches, input subsidies to farmers for fertilizer, irrigation and electricity, increase in import tariffs WT/TPR/M/403 • India  
 
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  and certain applications of import prohibit ions. We recall the importance of providing sufficient 
information to guarantee transparency of the implementation of these regulations in order to avoid 
unnecessary burden to the economic operators.  
4.182.   To conclude, let me thank the Indian delegation’s activ e engagement in this Trade Policy 
Review. We hope that, with the help of the COVID -19 crisis measures, the Indian economy will soon 
return to its growth path following a stronger and more diversified integration into the world 
economy.  
4.183.   We wish India a succ essful Trade Policy Review.  
ISRAEL  
4.184.   Israel would like to thank you, the Discussant H.E. Ms. Sunanta Kangvalkulkij (Thailand), 
and the Secretariat for the detailed reports. Israel also welcomes Dr  Anup Wadhawan as the head 
of delegation.  
4.185.   In modern history, Israel and India's ties began mostly through trade, and some records 
indicate that trade between our people goes back to the 10th century BC. During the last couple of 
decades, and specifically since 1992, our ties have grown closer in many areas, includin g trade, 
investment,  and innovation.  
4.186.   Back in 1992, the trade between India and Israel amounted to only USD 200 million. As per 
2019 data, ou r bilateral trade amounts to USD  5.65 billion, not including services. India is Israel's 
third-largest trade partner in Asia and the seventh largest globally.  
4.187.   Main exports from India to Israel include precious stones and metals, chemical products, 
machinery, agricultural products and fo odstuffs, rubber and plastics and transportation products; 
Main exports from Israel to India include precious stones and metals, machinery, optical and medical 
products and chemical products.  
4.188.   Although trade between our countries has steadily grown for the  past few years, there is still 
plenty of potential for further growth and Israel is very interested in exploring new areas for 
commercial cooperation with India.  
4.189.   In what relates to Israel -India trade and innovation ties, there has been a growing trend of 
diversification across several sectors, such as pharmaceuticals, agriculture and ICT. In this regard, 
the close cooperation and knowledge exchange between Israel and India in the field of agriculture 
and water technologies, is worth noting. This cooperatio n includes establishment of Centers of 
Excellence in various agriculture sectors across India, exchange of experts and farmers' delegations 
and more.  
4.190.   Trade in services has become significantly more important for our economies in recent years. 
India is wel l known for its expertise in high tech services; the share of trade in services in India's 
GDP has grown steadily  and accounted for 49% in 2018.  According to 2019 data, trade in services 
betwe en our countries amounted to USD  600 million and includes resear ch and development, 
computer services, advertising and market research services and maintenance services.  
4.191.   Israel's economic ties with India are growing: Indian software companies, notably TCS, 
Infosys, Tech Mahindra, and Wipro, are expanding their Israeli  market presence. In this regard, we 
encourage India to join the JSI on e -commerce since we recognize we could all benefit from India's 
participation.  
4.192.   During this TPR exercise, Israel submitted some questions to India and looks forward to 
reviewing the rep lies. The areas of interest for Israel include e -commerce, import policy and 
licensing, telecommunication,  and intellectual property.  
4.193.   As we begin a new year and hope it will be prosperous for all our nations, Israel looks forward 
to continuing the close co llaboration with India and its delegation in Geneva.  
4.194.   Israel wishes India a successful TPR.  WT/TPR/M/403 • India  
 
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  COSTA  RICA 
4.195.   On behalf of the Government of Costa Rica, I would like to extend a warm welcome to the 
delegation of India, led by Dr Anup Wadhawan, Secretary of the De partment of Trade, as well as 
Ambassador Brajendra Navnit, and his team in Geneva, and thank them for their report. I would 
also like to thank Ambassador Kangvalkulkij for her comments and the WTO Secretariat for its report.  
4.196.   Costa Rica would like to highli ght India's high economic growth during the review period, as 
well as the improvement not only of its macroeconomic indices, but also its position in the Global 
Innovation Index, and the World Bank's Doing Business index and Logistics Performance Index.  
4.197.   The dynamism of the services sector has been one of the greatest drivers of this trend. We 
welcome the launch of the National Intellectual Property Rights Policy, as well as the adoption of 
measures to liberalize foreign direct investment (FDI) and facilitat e trade. We are pleased that India 
has ratified the Trade Facilitation Agreement and the measures adopted in this area. Like Costa Rica, 
India is party to the Information Technology Agreement (ITA). We would like to know whether India 
has also considered j oining the expanded ITA.  
4.198.   Regarding India's energy policy, we note the granting of incentives to diversify energy 
sources and promote the use of renewable energy. We note, however, that there is still a heavy 
dependence on fossil fuels such as coal. In this  regard, we would like to have further details of 
India's reform policies on fossil fuel subsidies, including the announcement made by Prime Minister 
Modi at the end of 2019 to conduct a peer review process jointly with France, within the framework 
of the G20. 
4.199.   Despite the positive aspects highlighted above, we remain concerned about the high level of 
State protection and intervention in various sectors of the Indian economy, in particular the 
agricultural sector, which can be seen in various measures, such as high tariffs, tariff quotas, 
domestic support policies and market price support. We are following with interest the steps that 
India is taking towards market -oriented agricultural trade and to enhance the competitiveness and 
productivity of this sector in the long term.  
4.200.   Despite the dynamism shown in the services sector, we note that there is still a high level of 
State involvement in sectors such as banking, insurance and telecommunications.  
4.201.   Lastly, we also note with concern the considerable increase in the use of trade defence 
measures by India, in particular the use of anti -dumping measures. According to the Secretariat 
report, the number of investigations initiated rose from 82 during the review period to 233 in the 
current period; an incre ase of more than 200%. It would be useful to know the reasons for such a 
high increase in the number of investigations initiated.  
4.202.   In the context of this Trade Policy Review, Costa Rica submitted a number of questions to 
India on several elements of its tra de policy. I would like to thank India for addressing these 
questions and wish it every success in its Trade Policy Review.  
BANGLADESH  
4.203.   At the outset, the Bangladesh delegation welcomes H.E. Dr Anup Wadhawan, Secretary, 
Department of Commerce and Head of De legation for his introductory presentation at the 7th Trade 
Policy Review of India. Bangladesh delegation also thanks H.E. Sunanta Kangvalkulkij of Thailand 
for her insightful discussions. Our sincere appreciations also go to the Government of India and th e 
WTO Secretariat for the comprehensive reports.  
4.204.   The relations between our two countries have been friendly since the birth of Bangladesh 
fifty years ago. Both countries are common members of SAARC, BIMSTEC, BBIN, the Commonwealth 
and many other Internatio nal Organizations. The two countries share common legacy, culture and 
history, and face common development challenges.  
4.205.   Our bilateral ties are further bolstered with the regular high -level visits from both sides. 
Broad -based institutional mechanisms of dia logue have contributed to the deepening of relations 
between the two countries. Notable developments that have taken place over the past years are, WT/TPR/M/403 • India  
 
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  among others, the resolution of land and maritime boundaries issues, conclusion of a large number 
of instrum ents and MOUs in the area of energy, transportation, cyber -security, information 
technology, and development of civil nuclear energy. As a close neighbour, Bangladesh is delighted 
to note the great strides and significant progress that India has made in re cent years. We see that 
the prudent macro -economic measures adopted by the country have resulted in impressive economic 
growth and remarkable improvement in almost all indices.  
4.206.   During the period under review, we have noted that the Government of India has focused 
on carrying out many structural reforms including ensuring inclusive growth. The fundamentals of 
the Indian economy remain strong and this has ensured macroeconomic stability. Inflation is within 
limits and FDI inflows have increased significantly.  We applaud the Government of India for the 
various reform measures that it has adopted in its trade and investment related areas. Improvement 
in the trading environment has enabled the country to better its position significantly in the World 
Bank’s Doing  Business ranking from 142 in 2015 to 63 in 2019. This positive development will surely 
help attract more foreign trade and investment in India. The COVID 19 has been a setback for India, 
as it is the case with almost all counties of the world. We hope, th e country will bounce back quickly 
to the track of robust economic growth and development.  
4.207.   Bangladesh and India enjoy excellent bilateral trade and economic relations. Being the 
second largest trading partner, Bangladesh highly values its relationship wit h India. As we 
consolidate our trade relationship, we also cooperate closely in multil ateral area in fostering a 
rule-based, fair and equitable multilateral trade system. On the bilateral front, our trade volume is 
ever increasing. Our trade volume increas ed from USD 5.01 billion in FY 2010 -2011 to 
USD 10.5 billion in FY 2018 -19. During FY 2018 -19, Bangladesh’s export crossed the USD 1 billion  
mark by registering a year -to-year growth of 43%. However, the balance of trade is still heavily 
tilted towards Ind ia, on which both our countries are continuously striving to find solutions.   
4.208.   The recent growth in the bilateral trade was mainly driven by substantial increase of import 
into Bangladesh from India. Around 15% of total imports of Bangladesh are sourced from India. 
Being an LDC, Bangladesh enjoys duty free and quota free market ac cess for all products except 
25 tariff lines (alcohol, tobacco and drugs) to India. This has created opportunity for Bangladesh to 
further enhance trade with India. Howev er, we need to make efforts, in partnership with India, to 
resolve the challenges with regard to product diversification, product standardization, infrastructure 
development at the land, road and seaports . The issues of para -tariff and non -tariff barriers are also 
needed to be looked into by both the sides.  
4.209.   In this context, Bangladesh delegation particularly flags two issues:  
a) India has relatively stricter investment rules for investors from countries having land border 
with it. Press Note No. 3 (2020 Series ) and Revised para of 3.1.1(a) of FD I Policy of India, 
states that “ a non -resident entity can invest in India, subject to the FDI Policy except in 
those sectors/activities which are prohibited. However, an entity of a country, which shares 
land border with  India or where the beneficial owner of an investment into India is situated 
in or is a citizen of any such country, can invest only under the Government route” . As a 
result, Bangladeshi investors face stricter investment regime compare to other investors 
whose countries do not share land borders with India.  
 
b) According to section 4.163 of the Secretariat report of  this current TPR of India, 
171 countries could apply for e -visas in 28 international airports an d 5 cruise terminals of 
India. Bangladesh is not  included in that list. Every year, a large number of Ba ngladeshi 
tourists visit India.  Bangladesh was the largest source of foreign to urists visiting India in 
2019. India may consider Bangladesh eligible for e -Visa facility.  
 
4.210.   We have sent two questions t hrough the Secretariat earlier.  We thank the Indian delegation 
for answering the questions.  
4.211.   To conclude, we wish the delegation of India a productive and successful TPR. My delegation 
will continue to work closely with the Indian delegation, led by Ambass ador Navnit to strengthen the 
multilateral trading system, as we assist our countries to enhance our bilateral trade ties.  
  WT/TPR/M/403 • India  
 
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  EUROPEAN  UNION  
4.212.   On behalf of the European Union, I w ould like first to welcome the d elegation of India, led 
by Dr  Anup Wadhawan, Se cretary, Department of Commerce. I would also like to thank the WTO 
Secretariat and the Government of India for their respective reports and express appreciation to 
H.E. Ms Sunanta Kangvalkulkij (Ambassador of Th ailand) for her remarks as the d iscussant.  
4.213.   The EU values its Strategic Partnership with India, of which trade and investment are 
important components. The EU and India have a long -standing and well -developed trade and 
investment relation, which we are committed to develop further, as  highlighted du ring the 15th 
EU-India Summit held on 15 July 2020.  
4.214.   Bilateral trade in goods between the EU and India has increased by over two thirds in the 
last decade. Bilateral trade in goods and se rvices exceeded EUR 100 billion in 2019 and is balanced, 
which points at the complementarity between our economies.  
4.215.   Yet, the untapped potential of our trade and investment relations remains significant. The 
EU is India's largest trading partner, accounting f or EUR 80 billion worth of trade in goods in 2019, 
and the second -largest destination for India’s exports. At the same time, India is only the EU’s 10th 
largest trading partner, accounting for 1.9% of its total trade.  
4.216.   The COVID -19 pandemic has deeply affected the world’s economy. Both the EU and India 
are being hit severe ly by the health crisis, with serious short and long -term social and economic 
consequences. The EU and India share the objective of quickly returning to a path of sustained and 
sustainable growth. Trade and investment will be important components of our re spective strategies 
to go back to growth and generation of employment.  
4.217.   In this respect, we take note of the objectives of the “Self -Reliant India” initiative to attract 
foreign direct investment, promote local manufacturing, and integrate further into global supply 
chains. At the same time, we are concerned about the continue d trend in the policy pursued by the 
Government of India to apply new barriers to trade between India and the rest of the world, including 
the EU.  
4.218.   Very little progress has been made by India in the last years on eliminating barriers to trade, 
many of whic h are long -standing. In addition, we are witnessing an amplification of trade barriers 
in the wake of COVID -19. Furthermore, we are concerned about the overall direction of India’s trade 
and investment policies, notably regarding the extent of its trade op enness and its willingness to 
integrate truly into global value chains.  
4.219.   These developments are a source of concern and uncertainty for foreign economic operators 
and investors, which the sheer size of the Indian market might not be enough to balance it ou t.  
4.220.   Against this background, the many written questions submitted by the EU in the context of 
the current Trade Policy Review reflect the debt and breadth of our concerns, and our quest for 
clarifications.  
4.221.   They cover issues that we have raised before, suc h as exceedingly high customs duties, 
unpredictable customs procedures, cumbersome SPS requirements, gaps in the protection of 
intellectual property rights and geographical indications, and the ever -narrowing access to 
government procurement in India. The accelerated trend in India to develop domestic standards 
that deviate from internationally agreed ones is also a concern. These obstacles risk to increasingly 
insulating the Indian market from the world economy and are holding back its economic potential.  
4.222.   The EU and India share a strong commitment to the WTO’s rule -based multilateral trading 
system. As major trading powers, we should share a responsibility to preserve, strengthen and 
reform the WTO – and the EU looks forward to further engaging with India t o this end. In particular, 
the EU would welcome India to approach ongoing and future plurilateral initiatives with an open 
mind. In this context, the EU would like to reiterate its invitation to India to join the three ongoing 
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  4.223.   Furthermore, we invite India to engage constructively with the EU and other co -sponsors of 
the initiative on World Food Programme (WFP), which we discussed at the General Council in 
December. We should strive to address the current blockage of the initiative and send a very positive 
political signal in support of the life -saving humanitarian work of the WFP.  
4.224.   Differences are a normal occurrence in the WTO and the EU always favours ami cable 
solutions in the framework of multilateral or bilateral channels. However, in certain cases, there is 
no choice but to have recourse to the WTO’s dispute settlement mechanism, as illustrated by the 
pending case the EU initiated on India’s tariffs on ICT products, for which we hope for a prompt 
resolution. In this context, we hope that India may still see the MPIA as a useful stepping -stone to 
the restoration of binding two -step dispute settlement.  
4.225.   The Trade Policy Review is an important exercise in t ransparency, which provides WTO 
Members with an unique opportunity to get a better understanding of how other trading partners 
perceive their policies, to provide clarifications in this respect, and ultimately to set the ground for 
improved trade flows. Th e EU hopes that the present TPR will fulfil this role.  
4.226.   On behalf the EU, I wish India a very productive and successful Review.  
MEXICO 
4.227.   I am pleased to extend a warm welcome to the delegation of India led by Dr Anup Wadhawan, 
Secretary of Trade. We thank th e WTO Secretariat for preparing its report, and Ambassador Sunanta 
Kangvalkulkij (Thailand) for her excellent comments.  
4.228.   As others have already pointed out, the Indian economy experienced strong economic 
growth between 2015 and 2019, reaching an average rat e of up to 7.4% during this period, which 
is certainly enviable for most Member economies of this Organization.  
4.229.   Unfortunately, as has been the case almost everywhere, the COVID -19 pandemic has had a 
severe impact on India's economy. According to projection s by the International Monetary Fund, 
GDP will fall by about 10.3% in 2020. This recession is a result of a drastic decline in consumption 
and investment as well as widespread uncertainty in the business environment.  
4.230.   This situation has occurred despite the  implementation by the Government of India of various 
measures to help those most affected by the health crisis, such as tax programmes, direct transfer, 
food supply, social security, economic stimulus measures for SMEs, and rural credit refinancing and 
housing.  
4.231.   We note the implementation, during the review period and with respect to trade policy, of 
measures to liberalize FDI in the services sector, particularly in broadcasting and 
telecommunications, electronic commerce, insurance, airports, non -scheduled  air services and 
support for air services. New measures were also introduced to facilitate international trade, such 
as the Electronic Customs Portal, the Single Window, the Economic Operator Programme, Risk 
Systems, as well as the reduction of customs pr ocedures.  
4.232.   We also note the establishment of the National Intellectual Property Rights Policy, which 
aims to promote the generation and commercialization of intellectual property rights, including 
amendments to copyright, patent and trademark regulations an d the digitalization of applications.  
4.233.   The aforementioned progress made in trade and economic liberalization contrasts with other 
elements of trade policy that continue to cause concern and uncertainty among trade actors, such 
as the high dispersion of boun d tariffs, which range from zero to 150% and their frequent 
modification, as well as the fact that only 75% of tariffs are bound.  
4.234.   It is important to note that the applied MFN tariff increased from 13% in 2015 to 14.3% in 
2020, reaching 15.4% if ad valorem tariffs are taken into account.  
4.235.   Various technical regulations and phytosanitary measures have also been challenged in the 
WTO. During the review period, six trade concerns were raised with respect to sanitary and 
phytosanitary measures and 24 concerns were  raised regarding technical regulations.  WT/TPR/M/403 • India  
 
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  4.236.   With regard to agriculture, India's pricing policy, export and import controls and direct and 
indirect subsidies have been challenged. While we understand the implementation of the agriculture 
subsidy policy in orde r to safeguard food security, it is important to assess the scope of such support 
and its potential distorting effects on international trade.  
4.237.   With regard to services, despite the measures adopted to liberalize FDI, there remains a 
high degree of concentra tion in the banking, insurance, and telecommunications sectors.  
4.238.   According to the Secretariat report, India continues to use anti -dumping measures, which 
has led it to become the most active user in the WTO. Similarly, India is a recurring user of safeguard  
measures. In 2019 alone, there were 46 ongoing investigations. While we recognize the right to use 
these provisions, the continued application of such measures risks becoming a sign of artificially 
promoting the competitiveness of a sector.  
4.239.   Due to the siz e of its economy and population, India has the potential to continue to 
contribute constructively to enhancing the relevance of this Organization. Given its experience in a 
number of the areas relevant to the ongoing joint initiatives, it would be valuable  for India to consider 
joining them.  
4.240.   To conclude, we understand that, as a result of the pandemic, trade policy reviews have 
been rescheduled. However, after the December recess, my capital had very little time to conduct a 
comprehensive review of India's replies and comments. We hope that, in the future, TPRs can be 
scheduled without such a long break between the issuance of the reports and the review.  
4.241.   We thank India for its replies to our questions on trade remedies and competition policy. We 
wish it a su ccessful Trade Policy Review.  
TURKEY  
4.242.   I would like to join others in extending a warm welcome to Dr Anup Wadhawan, Secretary 
of the Department of Commer ce of India and his delegation. We thank the Secretariat and the 
Government of India for their comprehensive reports, as well as Ambassador Sunanta Kangvalkulkij 
for her invaluable contribution to the R eview.  
4.243.   India, as it is indicated in the reports, has achieved a continued economic growth for most 
of the review period  despite COVID -19 challenges. This strong economic growth has paved the way 
for an improveme nt in socio economic indicators such as per -capita income and life expectancy.  
4.244.   During the review period, we are pleased to see that various reforms were introduced b y 
India.  
4.245.   We believ e that the introduction of the Goods and Services Tax and Insolvency and 
Bankruptcy Code, Mudra Mission, initiatives such as “Make in India ”, “Digital India”, and “Startup 
India”, as well as the ne w public procurement programme Governmen t e-Marketplace  will help 
facilitate trade and investment, will boost business and transform India’s economy. We also hope 
that “Skill India” policy regarding the unskilled young population will be beneficial both for the society 
and the economy.  
4.246.   We belie ve that India, through future reforms, will continue to further provide predictable 
and competitive trade environment for traders and investors.  
4.247.   We welcome the ratification of Trade Facilitation Agreement by India which shows its strong 
commitment to multi lateralism.  
4.248.   Turkey sees India as a key partner in South Asia. In the post -COVID  era, we believe that 
Turkey and India could play a more prominent role together.  
4.249.   Back in 2005, trade volume between our countries was just around USD 1.5 billion. In fifteen 
years, this figure increased fivefold and reached to USD 7.8 billion in 2019. Despite a setback in 
2020 due to the pandemic, USD 10 billion target could easily be reached given the strong 
complementarity between our economies.  WT/TPR/M/403 • India  
 
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  4.250.   India is one of the target coun tries in Turkey’s Export Master Plan and has an important 
place in Turkey’s “Asia Anew” initiative.  
4.251.   We are glad that our bilateral economic relations are expanding with joint ventures and 
mutual invest ments. The cooperation between “Anadolu Shipyard” and “Hindustan Shipyard Limited”  
is one such good example. We should continue to build on such initiatives.   
4.252.   India is an important player in this Organization and plays a constructive and active role in 
further advancing the multilateral trading system. Like other international organizations, we have 
close collaboration with India at the WTO and especially in the efforts to strengthen this Organization. 
In this, Turkey particularly acknowledges the efforts of India in areas of development and inclusive 
reform agenda for the WTO. We also be lieve that our cooperation in G 33 contributes to increase the 
relevance of this Organization especially for developing countries and to advance their priorities in 
agriculture negotiations.  
4.253.   Before concluding, I want to thank Ambassador Brajendra Navnit and his staff at the 
Permanent Mission of India for their active contributions to our work and their constructive 
engagement in the negotiations at the WTO. We wish India a very successful R eview.  
UNITED  STATES  
4.254.   A warm welcome to Secretary Wadhawan, Ambassador Navnit, and the entire Indian 
delegation.  
4.255.   India is an increasingly important trading partner for the Un ited States with two -way trade 
surpassing USD 146 billion in 2019. Even during the COVID -19 pandemic, wh ich has severely 
impacted both of our countries, we have seen companies continue to announce significant bilateral 
FDI flows, which reflects the further strengthening of econom ic ties between our countries. We see 
our economic relationship, including here at the WTO, as a priorit y in our bilateral partnership.  As 
evidenced by the rapid expansion of India’s trade with the United States and many other WTO 
Members, India’s importance and responsibility within this inst itution continues to increase.  
4.256.   While w e are encouraged by the Indian G overnment’s efforts to attract additional foreign 
investment and its pursuit of a number of economic reforms, it is disappointing to see recent actions 
taken by India that appear to chart a different cour se and actually restrict  trade.  For example, since 
India’s last TPR, India’s simple average MFN applied tariff rate has increased from 13.5 % in 2015 to 
17.6% in 2019, accordi ng to the WTO tariff profiles. This trend will not facilitate India’s further 
integra tion into global supp ly chains.  The United States urges India to take additional steps to open 
the country’s trading regime to help India harness the ben efits of trade to create jobs. This would 
include significant reductions in tariffs as well as the removal of unjustifiable SPS and TBT 
impediments on imports.  
4.257.   The agriculture sector in India remains particularly cl osed to many foreign products. High 
tariffs often make importation prohibitively costly, and products face obstacles in the form of SPS 
and TBT measures that appear to have no scientific or other justifiable basis under the WTO 
Agreement. India also provides a broad range of assistan ce to its agricultural sector. The government 
program to purchase food products from farmers at minimum support prices distorts domestic 
market prices and incentivizes the over -production of products such as r ice and wheat. As a result, 
India’s agricultural trade policy continues to disservice consumers and producers in India.  
4.258.   We have also seen a recent increase in measures, both proposed a nd implemented, that 
could create technical barriers to trade in other sectors, including, for example, information and 
communication technology products, m edical devices, and chemicals. India continues to expand the 
list of products required to undergo co nformity assessment only in India.  Such domestic testing 
requirements and mandatory quality control orders that are not in line with international standards 
and continue to limit India’s ability to further integrate into global supply c hains and attract 
investment.  
4.259.   India’s dynamic services sectors continue to drive economic growth, and India has benefited 
from access to WTO Members’ services markets around the world, However, in key services sectors, 
India prohibits or significantl y limit foreign participat ion. Such policies will do little to help the Indian WT/TPR/M/403 • India  
 
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  government’s efforts to win the competition for increasing FDI flows in Asia.  Opening the retail, 
e-commerce, insurance, and other services sectors to increased foreign participation, including by 
allowing fully foreign -owned enterprises in these sectors, will not only help incentivize investment, 
but will also contribute to improving supply chains. The digital economy is also a powerful force for 
domestic and global economic growth, but India has implem ented digital trade barriers that likely 
will undermine that grow th. The United States encourages India to refrain from introducing barriers 
to digital trade, including restrictions on cross -border data flows and data localization requirements.  
4.260.   As India’s “Make in India” campaign makes clear, a strong and effective IPR regime is a 
critical component of attracting investment and achieving Ind ia’s ambitious economic goals. While 
India’s enforcement of IP has gradually improved, it has been inconsistent, and I ndia remains one 
of the world’s most challenging major economies with respect to pro tection and enforcement of IP. 
Indian industries could realize the benefits of receiving strong brand and product protection through 
trademarks, copyrights, patents, and tr ade secrets, but India’s current IPR policies do not yet 
facilitate this development.  
4.261.   Finally, with regard to transparency, the United States acknowledges steps the Government 
of India is taking to improve the transparency and effective functioning of its policymaking 
institutions. Despite improvements, the United States continues to be concerned about the lack of 
transparency in many aspects of India’s trade policy, including a disappointing performance in WTO 
notifications and limited notice and comment p rocedures for dom estic and foreign stakeholders.  This 
lack of transparency results in policy uncertainty, which creates difficulties for firms trying to invest 
in and trade with India.  
4.262.   The United States appreciates the opportunity to engage in this dialogu e, thanks India for 
responding to our questions, and looks forward to further discussing India’s trade policy regime with 
the delegation from India over the next two days.  
THAILAND  
4.263.   At the outset, Thailand would like to associate itself with ASEAN statement  delivered by 
Singapore.  
4.264.   Thailand in pleased to participate in the 7th Trade Policy Review (TPR) of India. We warmly 
welcome the delegation of India led by Dr Anup Wadhawan, Commerce Secretary, to this virtual 
TPR. 
4.265.   We would like to  thank you, Mr. Chair, an d the d iscussant, H.E. Ambassador Sunanta 
Kangvalkulkij of Thailand, for their in -depth perspectives. We also thank the Government of India 
and the WTO Secretariat and for their high-quality  reports.  
4.266.   Thailand and India have enjoyed growing bilateral trade and cooperation at all levels. With 
70 years of diplomatic relations, the two countries have leveraged our long -standing historical and 
cultural ties into the current warm friendship, close cooperatio n and, shared values.  
4.267.   Economic and commercial linkages form an important aspect of Thailand’s partnership with 
India. We are pleased to underline that at present India is Thailand's the largest trading partner in 
South Asia and the 11th largest in the wor ld while Thailand is the 21st largest trading partner of 
India. Bilateral trade grew significantly from USD 7.8 trillion in 2015 to USD 12.18 trillion in 2019, 
indicating an increase of 56%. Most of the exports from Thailand to India are plastic pallets, 
chemicals, automobiles and parts, steel, and machinery. Meanwhile, Thailand imports from India 
primary chemicals, machinery and parts, air conditioners, gems and jewellery . We hope that our 
bilateral trade will continue to grow to further strengthen economi c relations.  
4.268.   In terms of investment, foreign direct investment flows fro m India to Thailand reached 
USD 40 million in 2017 and slightly went down during the last two years. Thailand sees high potential 
in inviting Indian investors to do more business in Th ailand, especially in digital, pharmaceutical, 
biotechnology, chemical, and automotive industries.  WT/TPR/M/403 • India  
 
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  4.269.   Thailand commends India's solid economic growth and welcomes India’s efforts in taking a 
range of reform initiatives to sustainably enhance overall growth as  well as to promote trade and 
investment facilitation.  
4.270.   In the multilateral trading system, Thailand appreciates India's firm commitments and the 
substantial efforts that India has put into the negotiations in various forums. We welcome India’s 
ratification  of the Trade Facilitation Agreement in 2016 and commend India’s recent efforts to 
improve its notification record under the WTO.  
4.271.   In this R eview, Thailand has sought clarity on a number of measures of our interests. We 
take the opportunity to thank India f or its timely responses to our questions and will study them in 
detail with great interest.  
4.272.   In closing, Thailand would like to express our appreciation to India for the cooperation in 
every level and the friendly working relationship between our two Missio ns here in Geneva. We wish 
India every success in this TPR.  
COLOMBIA  
4.273.   We welcome the delegation of India led by Dr Anup Wadhawan, Secretary of the Department 
of Trade, and also extend a warm welcome to His Excellency, Brajendra Navnit, Ambassador of India 
to the WTO. We appreciate the comprehensive analysis and feedback provided by Ambassador 
Sunanta Kangvalkulkij of Thailand, as discussant, as well as the work of the Secretariat and the 
Indian authorities in the preparation of such comprehensive and detaile d reports, which were 
developed during the most complex moments of the COVID -19 pandemic.  
4.274.   India has a dynamic economy, with high rates of growth recorded in recent years and stable 
macroeconomic indicators. Growth has also been underpinned by various econo mic and fiscal 
reforms, increased investment in infrastructure, strong domestic demand, and the promotion of 
efficiency and economic inclusiveness. These positive trends have also contributed to the steady 
progress of socio -economic indicators such as incr eased life expectancy and a significant 
improvement in per capita income. In the areas of unemployment and poverty reduction, progress 
is significant, although levels remain high.  
4.275.   India has a significant share of global trade, with sustained growth in its exports of goods 
and services, active participation in various value chains, and an important network of trade 
agreements. Similarly, exports account for about 30% of GDP. We also note a transition to exports 
of medium technology goods with higher value ad ded, and the reduction of dependence on 
commodity exports, which are also reflected in India's import structure.  
4.276.   The review highlights the rapid and positive evolution of the services sector in India and its 
growing importance in total trade. India has a n et surplus in trade in services, particularly computer 
and telecommunications services, which are sectors that contribute to economic dynamism and job 
creation.  
4.277.   We recognize India's commitment to the multilateral trading system and its founding 
principles,  as well as its active participation in the ongoing negotiations and the functioning of the 
regular bodies. We welcome the commitment that the Government of India reflects in its report, 
with regard to the proper functioning of the dispute settlement mecha nism and the reform of the 
Organization.  
4.278.   The documents from the Secretariat and the Government reflect the importance of regional 
and bilateral trade agreements for India, with 16 agreements notified, most with neighbouring 
countries and countries in the A sia region. Furthermore, over one third of India's total trade is with 
Asian partners.  
4.279.   At the bilateral level, our trade ties have become progressively stronger, after more than 
60 years since diplomatic relations were established. We have a growing bilate ral trade in which 
Colombia has been increasing exports of manufactured and agro -industrial products, despite a 
traditionally negative trade balance for our country.  WT/TPR/M/403 • India  
 
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  4.280.   On tariff policy, the reports show that India has a complex tariff structure with ad valor em, 
specific and mixed tariff rates, which may cause difficulties for foreign trade operators. We note an 
average applied tariff of 15%, which is higher than the rate recorded during the previous review 
period.  
4.281.   We note the general increase in tariff rates,  in particular the increases in the manufacturing 
sector. We also note that the number of tariff lines at levels between zero and 10% is increasingly 
lower, while the group of products subject to tariffs has risen from 10% to 30%. This is compounded 
by the  significant number of fruit and vegetables that have tariffs of over 30% and including over 
60%. This undoubtedly represents significant additional costs for entrepreneurs from developing 
countries interested in participating in India's growing market.  
4.282.   We also note that, during the review period, import prohibitions, restrictions and licensing 
were maintained or increased. While several of these measures are underpinned by multilateral 
rules, we note the scheme for the prohibition or restriction of imports  when the price of goods, the 
vast majority of which are from the agricultural sector, is below a minimum established for entry 
into the market. We request further information from India on the operation of this scheme and on 
how these minimum prices are e stablished.  
4.283.   In this review, we also note the key role that State -owned enterprises continue to play in 
trade in agricultural products, fertilizers and petroleum. In some cases, these enterprises have a 
monopoly on imports of certain products and in other c ases their purchases are directly linked to 
the domestic supply of certain products. We cannot refrain from expressing our concern about the 
role of State -owned enterprises in purchasing food products from local farmers at a minimum 
support price. The docu ments prepared for this review demonstrate the influence of State -owned 
enterprises in all sectors of the economy and the effects they may have on competition, non -
discrimination, innovation and private initiative.  
4.284.   In the area of customs and foreign trade procedures, we commend the concrete progress 
and actions taken during the review period, which build on the commitments of the Trade Facilitation 
Agreement. We highlight the launch of the Single Window Interface for Facilitating Trade and the 
creation of t he electronic customs portal, which streamlines and simplifies customs procedures. We 
also recognize the efforts to improve risk management.  
4.285.   Colombia submitted questions on areas of interest, some of which we have addressed here, 
such as tariff levels, imp ort and export restrictions, price controls in the agricultural sector, 
agricultural support measures, and foreign investment policies. The replies given today will be 
analysed in detail with our authorities.  
4.286.   I would like to end by wishing India and its delegation a successful conclusion of its Trade 
Policy Review process, which has proceeded smoothly despite the tight schedule that had to be 
adopted. We extend a warm welcome and reiterate our support to Ambass ador Navnit. This is also 
an opportunity to highlight the excellent working relations and cooperation between our two 
Missions.  
RUSSIAN  FEDERATION  
4.287.   I would like to extend my warmest welcome to the delegation of India. Our countries have 
a long -lasting relat ionship, going back in history. Close political cooperation is a distinctive feature 
of Russian -Indian relations. In 2000 , our leaders signed the Declaration on Strategic Partnership 
between the Russian Federation and the Republic of India. During the visi t of the Russian President 
to India in December 2010, the Strategic Partnership was elevated to the level of a “Special and 
Privileged Strategic Partnership”.  
4.288.   In 2019 bilateral trade between Russia and India amounted to more than USD 11 billion. 
Compared to the previous year, the trade turnover between our countries increased by 2.3%. 
Russian exports to India in 2019 amounted to USD 7.3 billion, imports from India - USD 3.9 billion., 
The supply of food and agricultural raw materials more than doubled durin g the period from January 
to October 2020. A number of bilateral economic projects are being developed in the sectors of 
atomic energy, oil and natural gas, metallurgy, aeronautical engineering, chemical industry, 
pharmaceuticals and others.  WT/TPR/M/403 • India  
 
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  4.289.   The leaders of  our countries have set the task of increasing the volume of bilateral trade to 
USD 30 billion by 2025 and the volume of investments from each side to USD 15 billion.  
4.290.   The main mechanism of enhancing Russia -India ties is the Russia -India Inter -Governmental 
Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technological and Cultural Cooperation. The 23rd 
meeting of the Commission took place in Moscow on September, 2018, co -chaired by Deputy 
Chairman of the Government of the Russian Federation Mr Yuri Borisov and the  Minister of External 
Affairs of the Republic of India, dearly departed, Sushma Swaraj ( Сушма  Сварадж ). 
4.291.   Turning back to the 7th Trade policy review of India, I would like to appreciate the 
comprehensive reports by the Government and the WTO Secretariat. Our thanks also go to the 
discussant, H.E. Ms. Sunanta Kangvalkulkij, for her thoughtful remarks. We support this valuable 
and informative dialogue enabling us to exchange views on the trade policy of each WTO Member, 
thereby enhancing transpa rency in multilateral trading system in general.  
4.292.   We would like to congratulate the Government of India for carrying out effective trade and 
investment policies as well as implementing a number of reforms that contributed to sustained 
economic growth, avera ging 7.4% throughout the review period. Real GDP growth slowed down a 
little in early 2020 due to COVID -19 pandemic, but the Government responded promptly with a 
number of short - and long -term measures, targeting certain sectors of the economy.  
4.293.   We commend India for an active participation in the WTO work and for continued strong 
support to the multilateral trading system. Russia welcomes India’s ratification of the Trade 
Facilitation Agreement in 2016 and overall adherence to notification obligations. We no te with 
satisfaction that New Delhi continues to implement measures to facilitate trade, such as streamlining 
customs documentation requirements and automating clearance systems for imports and export, as 
well as many others.  
4.294.   As reflected in our submitted questions to the WTO Secretariat and India’s reports, Russia 
would like to seek clarifications on a number of issues, including on economic environment and 
reforms, bilateral trade agreements, trade policies and specific practices. Questions regarding 
customs procedures, tariff rate quotas, charges affecting imports, quantitative restrictions on certain 
products, sanitary and phytosanitary requirements are of our particular concern. We hope to receive 
comprehensive answers to these questions in due time.  
4.295.   In conclusion, we would like to thank you, Mr. Chairman, the delegation of India, the 
Secretariat and the  discussant, for the impressive work done so far and wish India a successful Trade 
Policy Review.  
KAZAKHSTAN  
4.296.   Kazakhstan is pleased to participate in the Seventh Trade Policy Review of India. We would 
like to express our appreciation to Indian’s Government and the Secretariat for their high -quality 
reports.  
4.297.   Kazakhstan commends India on its efforts of developing their economies and witnesses an 
annual GDP gr owth rate of 6.1% between 2018 and 2019. We are pleased to notice several launched 
government programs, including an increased number of poverty alleviation schemes in India.  
4.298.   We believe that, with the concerted efforts of the government and people, India w ill achieve 
macroeconomic sustainability and advance the country's development.  
4.299.   Kazakhstan closely follows India's economic growth and attaches high importance to 
strengthening bilateral cooperation with India with the objective to build a stronger economi c and 
trade relationship.  
4.300.   Within this TPR exercise, Kazakhstan has raised a number of essential questions on a range 
of issues of specific interest, such as trade remedies, customs valuation, investment regime, etc. 
Kazakhstan looks forward to receiving re plies from India to our questions.  WT/TPR/M/403 • India  
 
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  4.301.   In conclusion, I would like to congratulate the delegation of India and the Secretariat of the 
WTO for the hard work and efforts that went into preparing for this TPR.  
4.302.   We wish the delegation of  India every success for the ir seventh Trade Policy Review.  
INDONESIA  
4.303.   Indonesia warmly welcomes Secretary, Department of Commerce, Dr Anup Wadhawan, and 
the other members of the delegation to the Trad e Policy Review of India. On behalf of the Indonesian 
delegation, I would like to co nvey my appreciation to Ambassador Sunanta Kangvalkulkij (Thailand) 
for her contribution as a discussant. Indonesia would also like to thank the WTO Secretariat and the 
delegation of India for putting their hard work in conducting this 7th Trade Policy Rev iew by providing 
us insightful reports.  
4.304.   Indonesia would like to associat e itself with the ASEAN s tatement delivered by Singapore in 
this TPR. As ASEAN’s Dialogue Partner, India has indeed become our key and important partner for 
our trade cooperation in the region.   
4.305.   In the WTO, Indonesia acknowledges India’s active role in advancing important issues of 
developing countries to promote development and inclusivity. Indonesia also appreciates India’s 
constructive contribution and continued engagement in moving forward agriculture trade 
negotiation, including through G 33, in order to address challenges and  issue of our common 
concerns.  
4.306.   In bilateral trade, India has always become among Indonesia's important trading partners. 
In 2019, India was Indonesia’s fifth -largest trading partner, even though the total trade value 
between Indonesia and India was showing  a decrease from USD 1 8.7 billion in 2018 to 
USD 16.1 billion in 2019. Having said that, we hope Indonesia and India could enhance our bilateral 
trade cooperation to address any trade and trade -related issues between Indonesia and India.  
4.307.   On this occasion, please allow Indonesia to address some of our concerns on India's trade 
policies and measures, which are also reflected in our written questions.  
4.308.   During the review period, we welcome reforms and efforts that have been made by the 
Government of India to imp rove the trade environment, especially in the agricultural sector which 
is more liberal and open. India also introduced the Indian Customs Electronic Gateway (ICEGATE) 
as the national portal of the Indian Customs of the CBIC to provide e -filing services fo r both importers 
and exporters. However, on 21 August 2020, India issued a new provision called CAROTAR which 
requires additional documents other than a certificate of origin to claim tariff preferences in the FTA 
scheme between ASEAN and India. It seems t hat the verification and clearance process has become 
longer, and is not in line with the spirit of trade liberalization as agreed in the ASEAN -India FTA. 
Besides, the request to provide a business process information for importers would also pose a risk 
from unauthorized Parties such as information leakage issue under the CAROTAR scheme.  
4.309.   As for gold jewellery  imported products, India imposes a bank guarantee of 20 percent. This 
issue has a significant impact on our trade products and has been raised at the  Biennial Trade 
Ministers Forum in 2020. We are concerned that ASEAN -India Trade in Goods preferential rates for 
these products which have been 0% become meaningless. Indonesia encourages India to reduce 
the percentage of the bank guarantee and requests In dia to apply this policy in an MFN manner and 
not discriminatory in practice.  
4.310.   Regarding the import prohibition and license, the Secretariat notes that there are 48 tariff 
lines are subject to import prohibitions depending upon their import price to protect  the domestic 
growers/farmers and their livelihood. To that extend, Indonesia asks India to provide its positions 
on the WTO consistency of such measures, particularly in terms of GATT Art icle XI and the Import 
Licensing Agreement. Indonesia also asks Indi a to review its policy on import license requirements 
for the importation of refined palm oil (RPO).  
4.311.   Concerning the anti -dumping measures, India continues to be an active user in the WTO and 
shows a sharp increase from the previous review. We see there is a difference in conceptual WT/TPR/M/403 • India  
 
- 41 - 
 
  understanding, especially for the definition of a subsidy. Indonesia hopes India could provide in 
detailed explanations.  
4.312.   Indonesia believes this Trade Policy Review is a good momentum for Indonesia to 
comprehensively understand a bout India's trade policies and measures. Furthermore, we can also 
learn about the impact of those policies and measures not only domestically but also externall y, 
especially to the other WTO M embers. As for India, we believe that this TPR is a good opport unity 
to examine its policies and measures which in the end will promote the country’s economic 
development and growth.  
4.313.   Finally, to finish our remarks, once again, we would like to express our appreciation to 
H.E. Brajendra Navnit, the Permanent Representa tive of India and the delegation of India for their 
hard work. We look forward to hearing responses from India and a follow -up communication with 
the delegation of India for further written clarification on our interests and concerns.  
4.314.   Last but not least, w e wish India a successful Trade Policy Review.  
MALAYSIA  
4.315.   Malaysia would like to associate itself with the ASEAN statement delivered by Singapore.  
4.316.   We warmly welcome the delegation of India led by Dr Anup Wadhawan, Secretary of 
Commerce. We also extend our appreciation to the discussant, Ambassador Sunanta of Thailand, for 
her insightful comments of India’s economic and trade policies.  
4.317.   Malaysia is pleased to take part in the Seventh Trade Policy Review of India, which marks 
the commencement of the review wor k for the TPRB this year. We deem this Review is important to 
evaluate India’s effectiveness in achieving its trade policy objectives throughout the period under 
review and working towards navigating a post -COVID -19 future.  
4.318.   No doubt, 2020 has been a year f ull of challenges for all of us. The COVID -19 pandemic has 
taken its toll on the world, causing deaths, illnesses and economic despair in many countries. Even 
though COVID -19 vaccinations have already started and been administered around the world, the 
number of confirmed cases and death are still on the rise. As of 1 January 2021, WHO reported that 
the global number of confirmed cases of COVID -19 surpassed 80 million cases with 1.8 million 
number of deaths. Malaysia noted that India has approved two COVID -19 vaccines from AstraZeneca 
and Bharat Biotech, paving the way for a massive inoculation programme for the nation. We applaud 
India on this step in addressing the pandemic at the domestic front.  
4.319.   We commend the Indian Government’s efforts on its economic a nd structural reforms 
including the enactment of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code 2016 (IBC); the implementation of 
Goods and Services Tax (GST); introduction of an online single window in obtaining construction 
permit; adoption of its first National Int ellectual Property Rights (NIPR) Policy and National Digital 
Communication Policy 2018; strengthening of legal rights of borrowers and lenders to a secured 
transaction; protection of minority investors and reduction of corporate tax from 30 % to 25 % for 
domestic companies in September 2019.  
4.320.   Malaysia and India have been enjoying significant trade relations over the years. While we 
saw an increase in total trade between Malaysia and India in 2019, it is observed that for the period 
between January -November 20 20, total trade between India and Malaysia decreased by 15.6% to 
USD 11.59 billion compared to the corresponding period in 2019. Malaysia’s exports to India also 
decreased by 27.4% to USD  6.21 billion while Malaysia’s imports increased by 3.7% to 
USD 5.38 billion. Regardless, in 2019, India remained amongst Malaysia’s 10 largest global trading 
partner, export destination and source of imports.  
4.321.   India also continues to be among Malaysia’s major source of foreign direct investments 
(FDIs) since 1980. As of 20 19, 262 approved investments in the manufacturing sector added up to 
USD 2.77 billion. Out of the 262 approved investments, 147 projects worth USD  1.74 billion have 
been implemented. These investments were concentrated in mining and quarrying, manufacturin g, 
construction and services.  WT/TPR/M/403 • India  
 
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  4.322.   India and Malaysia also enjoy a strong and complementary economic relationship through 
the bilateral initiative namely, Malaysia -India Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement 
(MICECA). That s aid, we note the Secretariat’s  report on Indian Government’s frequent changes to 
its policies, which had raised concerns on the predictability and investors’ confidence towards India.  
4.323.   On regional initiatives, we commend India’s commitment in pursuing such initiatives, notably 
the ASEAN -India Free Trade Agreement (AIFTA). We also acknowledge India’s position in relation to 
the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and Malays ia, as member of RCEP, looks 
forward to welcoming India into RCEP once India decides to do so.  
4.324.   At the multilateral front, we applaud India on the ratification and implementation of the WTO 
Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) in 2016, making India the 76th WTO Member to ratify TFA. We 
note that India is currently implementing its commitments particularly with the establishment of the 
National Committee on Trade Facilitation (NCTF). We hope that the implementation of the National 
Trade Facilitation Action Pla n (NTFAP) would indeed facilitate trade in India.  
4.325.   We also appreciate India’s active participation and contribution in the WTO particularly for 
hosting two Informal WTO Mini Ministerial Meetings back in 2018 and 2019 in New Delhi, as well as 
tabling / co -sponsoring proposals at the WTO. Malaysia wishes to encourage India to come on board 
the various Joint Statement Initiatives (JSI) currently being pursued.  
4.326.   The diplomatic ties between Malaysia and India was established in 1957 and since then 
Malaysia -India relations have traditionally been close and friendly. Towards this, Malaysia hopes the 
bilateral economic cooperation will be further strengthened in the years ahead for the prosperity of 
the people in both countries. Let us bid adieu to a disruptive year of 2020 and welcome with hope, 
positivity and newer beginnings for 2021.  
4.327.   To conclude, we look forward to India’s response to our questions and we shall examine the 
responses with the highest of interest. We wish the Indian delegation a productive and succe ssful 
TPR 
CHINA  
4.328.   China warmly welcomes the delegation of India to this Trade Policy Review and  expresses 
appreciation to the d iscussant, the Chair, and the S ecretariat’s efforts and contributions to this Trade 
Policy Review.  
4.329.   For the purpose of this review, China has submitted questions to the India and looks forward 
to Indian’s early responses.  
4.330.   China is pleased to see that the Indian economy continued to be strong for most of the 
period under review, averaging 7.4%. We note that measures taken by India for reform and 
liberalization played a key role to such positive outcome, notably by the introduction of the Goods 
and Services Tax (GST), banking reforms, and recent legislation to improve marketing and reduce 
regulation of agricultural products. We would enc ourage India to continue such efforts.  
4.331.   China commends India's active engagement in the WTO. During the review period, India 
ratified the Trade Facilitation Agreement, with 72% of its category A commitments being 
implemented in 2017, and 23% in category B t o be implemented in 2022, without any category C. 
China also values India’s belief that global trade rules should foster economic development in 
developing countries and India’s efforts to preserve the special and differential treatment as WTO 
embedded rig hts for developing members. We also appreciate India’s efforts in eliminating the unfair 
entitlements in the Agreement on Agriculture and defending the developing members’ rights in other  
areas.  
4.332.   With regard to India’s investment policies, China welcomes I ndia’s endeavour to put in place 
investor friendly FDI policies, including opening new sectors and simplifying the approval process 
for foreign investment. We note India’s great increase in both in -ward and outward investment, esp. 
its outflow investment t ripled from year 2014/2015 to 2018/2019. We see the importance of open 
investment policies to the growth of India’s investment. By saying so, we would express our deep 
concern on the recent revised FDI policy, namely Review of Foreign Direct Investment (FD I) policy WT/TPR/M/403 • India  
 
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  for curbing opportunistic takeovers/acquisitions of Indian companies due to the current COVID -19 
pandemic, which applies to countries sharing land borders with India, or where the beneficial owner 
of an investment into India is situated in or is a citizen of any such country. Such measure does not 
consistent with WTO non -discrimination principle and will surely affect the business interests both 
of India and these countries. In the meantime, we would also encourage India to join WTO 
Investment Fac ilitation Joint Statement Initiative.  
4.333.   As to the policies relevant to trade, China acknowledges India’s efforts to enhance the 
competitiveness in its manufacturing and service sectors by launching several initiatives, such as 
Make in India, and the Digital  India Initiative. However, China remains concerned that some of the 
measures taken are not consistent with WTO principles and India’s commitments, such as the tariffs 
of some ICT products exceed the bound tariffs notified by India. We are also concerned w ith the 
application of “national security” to the normal trade which led to more than 200 Chinese APPs 
banned in India. These measures have caused negative consequences for the supply chain and local 
consumers as well.  
4.334.   The Secretariat report also shows th at India is an active user of trade remedy measures and 
indicates that India accounts for 12% safeguard measures of all investigations initiated by WTO 
members. And among India’s 254 antidumping measures at the end of 2019, 58 of them had been 
in the place  for more than 10 years. We urge India to resort to trade remedy measures in a more 
prudent manner and avoid taking  measures that may disrupt the normal market running and normal 
competition.  
4.335.   China acknowledges India’s active engagement in the FTA negotia tions and regional 
integration. In this regard, we encourage India to join RCEP in an early date.  
4.336.   As to the bilateral trade, trade between China and India generally continued growing during 
the review period. According to China’s statistics, the bilateral trade increased to USD 92.8 billion in 
2019 from USD 70 billion in 2015. It is worthy to note that given the world trade fell sharply in 2020 
caused by the COVID -19 pandemic, the India’s export to China from January to October of 2020 
achieved a remarkable  growth by 16.7%. As the two countries with the largest populations in the 
world, despite of some interferences, the good performance of trade well reflected strong trade 
potential between China and India. For this purpose, China looks forward to working w ith India to 
enhance our trade and economic cooperation to benefit the development and people of our two 
countries and the region. We always believe that  tomorrow will be better than today.  
4.337.   Finally, we wish this Trade Policy R eview a great success.  
THE PHILIPPINES  
4.338.   The Philippines as sociates itself with the ASEAN s tatement delivered by Singapore  
highlighting India’s important role as one of ASEAN’s key trading and investment partners.  
4.339.   The Philippine delegation warmly welcomes and congratulates the del egation of India led by 
Dr Anup Wadhawan, Secretary, Department of Commerce in New Delhi and Ambassador Brajendra 
Navnit, Permanent Representative of the Indian Mission to the WTO in Geneva on their 7th Trade 
Policy Review. We also thank Ambassador Sunanta  Kangvalkulkij of Thailand for her insightful 
comments as discussant, and the WTO Secretariat for a comprehensive report.  
4.340.   The Philippines enjoys a dynamic and longstanding bilateral relationship with India which 
was formally  established in November 1949. India and the Philippines signed a Trade Agreement in 
1979, which was further strengthened through the intensified partnership between India and the 
ASEAN in 1992. The Framework Agreement on Comprehensive Economic Cooperation  between 
ASEAN and India was signed in October 2003 and served as legal basis to conclude further 
agreements, including Trade in Goods Agreement, Trade in Services Agreement, and Investment 
Agreement that form the ASEAN -Indian Free Trade Area (AIFTA).  
4.341.   The Philippines and India also has the India -Philippines Joint Working Group (JWG) on Trade 
and Investments under the joint Chairmanship of India Commerce Secretary and Philippines 
Undersecretary for Trade and Industry, which seeks to further strengthen the bi lateral trade and 
investment flows between the two economies.  WT/TPR/M/403 • India  
 
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  4.342.   In 2019, India ranked as the Philippines’14th major trading partner, with total two -way trade 
valued at  USD 2.37 billion. India was also the Philippines’ 17th export market, 13th import source, 
and 14th source of approved investments.  
4.343.   The Philippines recognizes the relevant updates on India’s trade and investment policies 
during the review period, as well as its structural reforms to enable the country to bounce back on 
its targeted growth path. Economic reforms were continued and were focused on increasing 
efficiency and inclusiveness, including the revitalization of the ‘Make in India’ initiative. We 
acknowledge these developments and look forward to learning more about these new policies 
throug h this trade policy review process.  
4.344.   Further, the Philippines notes from the Government report that India remained committed 
to the centrality of the WTO for an integrated global trading system and was an active participant in 
the efforts to safeguard and s trengthen the WTO. India took the initiative to host two informal 
mini-ministerial meetings in New Delhi, in March 2018 and May 2019 which focused on discussions 
on the need to preserve and enhance the functioning and credibility of the rules -based multila teral 
trading system, which is transparent and inclusive, with development as the core objective. The 
Philippines commends India’s commitment to the multilateral trading system and encourages its 
continued constructive participation in the various work of the WTO, upholding its r ights and 
obligations as a WTO M ember.  
4.345.   The Philippines has submitted some written questions on the TPR reports,  and we thank the 
delegation of India in advance for their prompt replies.  
4.346.   In closing, the Philippines looks forward to further enhancing the mutually beneficial 
economic relations with India in the bilateral, regional, and multilateral fora.  
MAURITIU S ON BEHALF  OF THE AFRICAN  GROU P 
4.347.   The African Group is honoured to participate in the s eventh  Trade Policy Review of India. We 
warmly welcome Dr Anup Wadhawan, Secretary, Department of Commerce and his delegation, and 
look forward to a rich exchange at today’s session.  We take this opportunity to thank Ambassador 
Aspelu nd, Chair of the TPRB, and the d iscussant, Ambas sador Ms. Sun anta Kangvalkulkij for the 
introductory statement and the WTO Secretariat for the comprehensive report . 
4.348.   The African Group commends the Government of India for the significant jump in its ranking 
on the World Bank’ s Ease of Doing Business Index.  Indeed, fro m 142nd place in 2015, India ranked 
63rd in 2019. This is clear testimony that the various reforms and improvements in the trading 
environment brought about during the past few years, including the introduction of the GST, the 
implementation of the India Customs Single Window and the fast -tracking incorporation of 
companies, amongst others, are yielding positive results.  
4.349.   We also note that the Services sector in India, which accounts for more than 50% of India’s 
GDP, has established itself as the most  important con tributor to the Indian economy.  India has 
significantly diversified its market for trade in goods and we note that this has helped it to addre ss 
the sluggish global demand. Unfortunately, trade exchanges between India and Africa has decreased  
in recent times, despite the fact that India and Africa remain strongly connected.  
4.350.   Indeed, the historical ties between the African Continent and India based on common values, 
mutual respect and enduring f riendship need no elaboration. We are trusted and r eliable partners 
as evidenced by our continuous engagement through the India -Africa Forum Summits.  
4.351.   On the 1st of January this year, the African Continental Free Trade Area became operational.  
The AFCTA offers a huge market of 1.3 billion people and an eco nomic space of high value space for 
trade and investment.  Africa stands ready to engage in higher levels of trade with India as the 
Government of India pursues its plans to become a USD 5  trillion economy by 2024 -2025.  We look 
forward to working together, inter alia, to further improve access for African products in the Indian 
market whilst acknowledging the duty-free quota free access already granted to African LDCs.  
4.352.   Various new initiatives taken by India, including the ‘Make  in India 2.0’ Initiative, the “Digital 
India”  Programme and the Startup India Initiative seem to be ver y relevant for Africa.  We look WT/TPR/M/403 • India  
 
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  forward to benefiting from these experiences as we gear up to make of the African CFTA an 
instrument of sustainable economic growth that will help integ rate Africa in the global value chain.  
4.353.   At a time when the global population and governments are still reeling from the effects of 
the COVID -19 pandemic, the recent approval by the WHO and some national agencies of certain 
vaccines has brought fresh hope th at we will soon overcome the health aspect of the pandemic if we 
are able to ensure timely, affordable and equitable access to the vaccines and therapeutics. 
However, the challenges of economic recovery would remain and there are high expectations from 
the WTO as the main pillar of the multilateral trading system to deliver both on the health  and 
economic recovery fronts. In this regard, we commend the efforts of India and its contribution in 
our common task of ensuring a fair, transparent and predicta ble m ultilateral trading system   In 
particular, the African Group wishes to highlight India’s constructive role in seeking to unlock the 
Appellate Body impasse; in the discussions on WTO reforms; in the ser vices negotiations; on Special 
and Differential Treatme nt and the Fisheries Subsidies negotiations, and more recently on the 
proposal for a TRIPS waiver to support the global response to the COVID -19 pandemic.  
4.354.   The African Group looks forwa rd to working closely with the d elegation of India over the 
course of th is year as MC12 shapes up with the overall objective of achieving a development centred, 
fair and balanced outcome at the Ministerial Conference.  
4.355.   The African Group wishes the Indian delegation a very successful R eview.  
MAURITIUS  
4.356.   The Mauritius -India relatio nship goes back in History and multiple adjectives have been used 
to describe this relationship ranging from unique to special.  Suffice to say that Mauritius and India 
have a common history and we believe that our future is also bound in so many ways.  
4.357.   Our interest in the trade and investment policies of India therefore remains very high both 
as an investor and recipient of investments.  
4.358.   Mauritius and India are in the process of finalising a Comprehensive E conomic Partnership 
Agreement. We have reached agreem ent in a number of areas already and look forward to also 
conclude the chapter  on Economic Cooperation soon. We believe this will provide us with a strong 
foundation for strengtheni ng economic and business ties.  
4.359.   Turning to the reports, we commend the India n authorities for actively implementing the 
National IPR Po licy which is, inter alia, aimed at strengthening the IPR legal framework and 
enforcement as well as generating value throug h the commercialization of IPR.  The COVID -19 
pandemic has shown that as o ne of the most influential developing economies, India has taken a 
leadership role in supporting a fairer multilateral trading system that would take  on-board the 
interests of all M embers, including small developing States. In this regard, Mauritius fully supports 
the proposal put forward by India and South Africa to waive certain provisions of the TRIPS 
Agreement to support the global resp onse to the COVID -19 pandemic. We believe this would provide 
the necessary policy space to developing countries to meet  their needs without the threat of having 
to defend certain measures against claims of IPR infringements.  
4.360.   Mauritius has always advocated that a one size fits all cannot stand the road for trade and 
development.  The unique situation of India with its diver se realities is a case in point.  You may 
produce enough for export,  but you must first ensure the food security of your population and t he 
livelihood of your farmers. This is how we read the Jan Dhan  Yojana and other schemes managed 
by the central and state administrations as a means to stabilize domestic food pr ices and ensure 
food security. India is also an example where the G overnment addresses hunger and price volatility 
through the effective use of PSH in line with Sustainable Development Goal 2 (SDG 2), which calls 
for ending hunger, achieving food security and improved nutrition, as well as promoting sustainable 
agriculture.  
4.361.   Mauritius congratulates India for the strong economic growth it has wit nessed in the years 
prior to the pandemic and which has le d to the improvement of its per capita income and lif e 
expectancy. We have no doubt that with the various reforms, the country’s economy will quickly 
bound back from the effects of the pandemic and continue in its development path.  WT/TPR/M/403 • India  
 
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  4.362.   Let me conclude by wishing the Indian delegation a successful R eview.  
LAO PDR 
4.363.   First of all, the delegation of the Lao PDR would like to associate itself with the ASEAN 
statement delivered by Singapore . 
4.364.   On behalf of the Lao PDR delegation, I would like to warmly welcome the delegation of India 
to its 7th Trade Policy Review meeting. We are confident that this meeting would contribute 
significantly to the trade policy review of India.  
4.365.   We are pleased to see that the India's  economic growth continued to be strong for most of 
the period under review and with the positive developments to transform India as one of the driving 
forces of global economic growth. However, the current impact is expected to be extensive for India 
and entire the globe.  
4.366.   India is the Lao PDR’s 5th largest two -way trading partner and our fourth largest export 
market . Equating to nearly USD 126 million in 2019, our trade was dominated by precious metals. 
We are confident that our bilateral trading relations hip still has enormous upside potential and will 
continue to be further enhanced.  
4.367.   We are of the view that India is a key player in the world trade and the global economy. We 
would like to take this opportunity to express our sincere appreciation and commen dation India for 
its strong supporter of the multilateral trading system, with active participation and engagements in 
advancing Doha Development Agenda, particularly in providing Duty Free and Quota Free treatment 
to the LDCs.  
4.368.   In conclusion, we would like  to express our sincere congratulation to the Permanent 
Representative of India, H.E. Ambassador Mr. Brajendra Navnit and his team for the hard work and 
wish India every success in its 7th Trade Policy Review.  
VIET  NAM 
4.369.   On behalf of Viet Nam’s delegation, I  would like to extend our warmest welcome to the 
distinguished delegation of India led by Dr Anup Wadhawan, Secretary, Department of Commerce 
to the s eventh of Trade Policy Review. I would like to thank the Government of India and the WTO 
Secretariat for t he preparation of comprehensive reports for this R eview, especially under the 
circumstances of the COVID -19 pandem ic. My thanks also go to d iscussant H.E. Ms Sunanta 
Kangvalkulkij, Ambassador, Permanent Representative of Thailand for insightful observation s and 
introduction.  
4.370.   Viet Nam associates itself with the ASEAN statement delivered by Singapore and would li ke 
to add some following points.  
4.371.   Firstly, Viet Nam shares the same opinion with India that respecting trade rules of the WTO 
is the only solution to address the unfolding crisis and will continue to play a positive role to establish 
a fair and equitable multilateral trading system. We are happy to note that India’s economic growth 
maintained a relatively high rate of ave rage 7.36% annually during the r eview period and 4.2% for 
the year 2019 -2020, despite the increasing global uncertainties, trade tensions as well as the 
COVID -19. We congratulate India on this success in a challenging environment.  
4.372.   Secondly, India is in top 10 significant trading partners  of Viet Nam in rece nt years. In the 
period of 2017 -2019, our b ilateral trade turnover grew 27. 3% year on year. In the first 11 months 
of 2020, the bilateral trade has seen a considerable drop, which was only USD 8.8 billion and 14,4% 
less than the same period in 2019. The key reason for the drop has been the COVID -19 pandemic. 
However, a number of measures taken by India also raised some concerns. Viet Nam, as a member 
of ASEAN - a trading partner of India, is working closely with India to find suitable solutions for these 
issues.  WT/TPR/M/403 • India  
 
- 47 - 
 
  4.373.   Thirdly, Viet Nam are willing to cooperate with India to facilitate the development of the 
regional supply chains , as well as contribute to the economic recovery from the COVID -19 
pandemic’s impacts.  
4.374.   India is an original Member of the WTO. We highly value India’s constructive efforts in 
defending and preserving the multila teral trading system, in particular upholding its WTO’s 
obligations and commitments, and actively participating in various multilateral and plurilateral 
negotiations.  
4.375.   In conclusion, I would like to take this opportunity to thank and commend Ambassador 
Brajendra Navnit and his able team for the excellent preparation for this R eview , as well as their 
constructive contribution and engagement in the WTO activities. We wish India a successful Trade 
Policy Review.  
CAMBODIA  
4.376.   My delegation joins other to express our  warmest w elcome the delegation of India led by 
Dr Anup Wadhawan, Secretary of the department of Commerce of I ndia. Our thanks also go to 
Her Excellency Ambassador Sunanta Kangvalkulkij for her insightful assessment reflecting the 
current trade policies an d economic performance of India. We also thank India and  the S ecretariat 
for their reports.  
4.377.   Cambodia associates itself with the statement made by Singapore on behalf of ASEAN 
Member States. We acknowledge the important role of India as ASEAN’s dialogue par tner, which has 
strengthened after the ASEAN -India Summit in 2002 in Cambodia. As the result of the said summit, 
trade and investment has been growing and hence India becomes the ASEAN’s sixth largest external 
source of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in 2 018.  
4.378.   We would also like to congratulate India for its remarkable economic performance and 
rebounding from negative growth at the end of 2019 to 5.2% in February 2020.  
4.379.   Cambodia and India enjoy warm and friendly relations since the 1950s. India and Cambodi a 
re-established formal diplomatic relations in 1981.  
4.380.   The two countries signed four key agreement to enhance bilateral cooperation during the 
visit of our Prime Minister in January 2018. The agreements include an MoU on cultural exchange 
programme and wate r resource development project. India and Cambodia also agreed on facilitating 
exchanges between senior -level and capacity -building projects. To promote trade and business 
relations, there were some bilateral meetings such as bilateral meetings between our  Prime Minister 
and Minister of Commerce of India as well as bilateral meeting with Minister of Commerce of 
Cambodia on trade improvement and connectivity.  
4.381.   Trade between the two countries has been growing steadily in the last few years. In 2019, 
total tra de of both sides was around USD 256 million which increased by 19% compared to 2018 
that was about USD 207 million. Cambodia exported around USD 65  million and imported about 
USD 191 million from India in 2019. The products that Cambodia exported to Ind ia including textile, 
footwear,  natural rubber, bicycles, salt, stone and some other agricultural products such as fruit, 
nuts, spices and vegetable while imported from India such as machinery, automobile parts, drugs, 
pharmaceuticals, yarn, leather, prepared  foods, paperboard and other chemical and engineering 
products.  
4.382.   We take note of the recent increase of investment from India. The major investment from 
India are in the field of agricultural machinery, power, construction and mining. We would like to 
welcome more investment from India, especially for food processing and other labour -intensive 
industries.  
4.383.   We thank and appreciate the delegation of India in Geneva led by His Excellency Ambassador 
Brajendra Navnit and his team, for their friendship and good c ooperation. We commend India for 
putting its efforts and active participation in supporting rule s-based multilateral trading system and 
support most of LDC’s issues. Cambodia would also like to thank India for providing trade 
preferences to LDCs including the preferential tariff treatment, duty -free and quota -free treatment WT/TPR/M/403 • India  
 
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  to LDCs around 94.2% which has mentioned in paragraph 2.27 of the Secretariat report , as well  as 
providing the preferential rules of o rigin. We would like to encourage India to provide o ther technical 
assistances to LDCs to increase our integration into the world trading system especially during this 
COVID -19 Pandemic.  
4.384.   Finally, we commit to working closely with India in bilateral and multilateral fields to 
strengthen our good cooperation  for ec onomic growth and development.  
4.385.   I wish India a successful 7th Trade Policy Review.  
URUGUAY  
4.386.   Uruguay wishes to extend its warmest greetings to the delegation of India, led by the 
Secretary of Trade, Dr Anup Wadhawan, for the occasion of India's seventh Trade Policy Review. We 
also thank the Permanent Representative of Thailand, Ambassador Sunanta Kangvalkulkij for her 
presentation, and the Secretariat for its comprehensive report.  
4.387.   India is an important player in the global economy and the multilateral trading system. Its 
economic growth levels were remarkable during the review period, with an average rate of 7.4% 
until 2018/2019, and were accompanied by an improvement in indicators, such as per capita income 
and life expectancy, although gr owth slowed and the country was hit hard by the impact of the 
COVID -19 crisis.  
4.388.   The country has maintained macroeconomic stability, with controlled inflation and record 
levels of FDI inflows, and the Government has an agenda of modernizing reforms to ensure  inclusive 
growth. In this regard, Uruguay encourages India to pursue its reform efforts towards greater 
openness, so that it can continue to improve its income levels and the quality of life of its population.  
4.389.   Regarding the bilateral relationship between our countries, our trade in goods during 
the period under review ranged from a minimum of USD 151 million in 2016 to a maximum of 
USD 198 million in 2018, with a trade balance largely in favour of India. Sales from our country 
averaged nearly USD 14 millio n per year, declining in recent years, with wool and wood being the 
main products. Imports from India averaged USD 163 million annually, consisting mainly of 
automobiles, electrical machinery and apparatus, and plastics.  
4.390.   India's investment in Uruguay has i ncreased considerably in recent years, particularly in the 
services sector, with the operation in our country of important enterprises, such as Tata Consultancy 
services, in the area of information technologies and business services.  
4.391.   MERCOSUR and India hav e a limited Preferential Trade Agreement, which entered into force 
in 2009, and which Uruguay hopes may be extended in the near future, so as to contribute to 
significantly expanding trade flows in the parties' products of interest, in line with the existi ng 
potential.  
4.392.   In this regard, Uruguay maintains its interest in exporting citrus fruits and apples to the 
Indian market and hopes that the corresponding phytosanitary authorization processes will be 
completed as soon as possible in a favourable manner.  
4.393.   India and Uruguay agree on the high value attributed to the WTO and its central role in the 
rules-based multilateral trading system, as well as the need to resolve the difficulties that it is 
experiencing. In this context, we recognize the importance of once again having a fully functional 
dispute settlement system, with an independent and impartial Appellate Body.  
4.394.   At the same time, we agree with the objective of having multilateral trade rules, including 
in agriculture, that promote the economic development o f Members, in a fair and market -oriented 
trading system. We look forward to working with India and other Members on outcomes in this 
regard at MC12 and beyond, including in key areas such as domestic support and market access in 
agriculture, and in the urg ent implementation of an ambitious agreement on fisheries subsidies, 
whose disciplines make a tangible contribution to the objective of sustainability pursued.  WT/TPR/M/403 • India  
 
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  4.395.   We wish to emphasize that India ratified the Trade Facilitation Agreement in 2016 and 
created a national institutional framework to implement its commitments. It also introduced a 
number of measures that have had a positive impact on the trading environment, including the 
single customs window and a digitalized authorized economic operator programme,  the optimization 
of clearance procedures and post clearance audits taking into account risk.  
4.396.   However, Uruguay notes that India continues to use instruments such as tariffs, minimum 
import prices, import and export restrictions, and licensing requirements to regulate trade and the 
situation of the domestic market. Frequent changes in tariffs and other trade policy instruments 
create uncertainty for economic operators. In particular, it is noted that India's average applied 
tariffs increased in 2020/2021, wi th agricultural products being among the most protected. At the 
same time, India currently applies considerable subsidies for the production and sale of food on its 
domestic market, but also in international markets.  
4.397.   Recently, India became the first Member  to invoke the peace clause of the Bali Ministerial 
Decision on Public Stockholding for Food Security Purposes, after exceeding its authorized levels of 
support for rice in 2018/2019. Given the significance of this action, Uruguay shares the interest 
expre ssed by other Members in having all the information necessary to assess compliance with the 
conditions set out in the Bali Ministerial Decision for all relevant products and looks forward to India's 
collaboration to that end.  
4.398.   Furthermore, regarding India's  announcement of a certification measure on the absence of 
genetically modified elements in a number of imported products, Uruguay wishes to take this 
opportunity to reiterate the importance of ensuring that the measures established to ensure food 
safety a nd health are based on scientific principles and are applied taking into account the objective 
of minimizing negative trade effects, in line with the SPS Agreement.  
4.399.   Last but not least, we recognize the enormous importance of MSMEs in the Indian economy, 
as evidenced by the support policies targeted at MSMEs at the national and State level, as referred 
to in the Secretariat report. We therefore invite India to support the package of recommendations 
recently approved by the Informal Working Group on MSMEs, in  the belief that these 
recommendations will have a beneficial impact on business in India. We also wish to recall that the 
doors of the Informal Working Group are open to India, and we are convinced that it will be able to 
make a substantive contribution t o the work of the Group.  
4.400.   To conclude, we would like to reiterate our appreciation for this latest opportunity to discuss 
India's trade practices, while recognizing the team from the Mission in Geneva, led by 
Ambassador  Brajendra Navnit, for its work and ac tive participation in the organization, and wish 
them a successful conclusion to this Review.  
SRI LANKA  
4.401.   Sri Lanka welcomes the delegation of India led by Dr. Anup Wadhawan, Secretary of the 
Department of Commerce of India, who joins this meeting remotely w ith his team from New Delhi 
due to the prevailing global  health situation, for the 7th R eview of the trade policies and practices 
of India. We thank  Ambassador Madam Sunanta, the d iscussant , for her report and the WTO 
Secretariat and the Government of Indi a for their comprehensive reports made available to the 
delegations in advance of this meeting.  
4.402.   It is with great interest that my delegation notes the continued economic advancements of 
India, despite minor slowdown shown in the lat ter part of the review period. The strong economic 
growth of 7.4% in average is a clear indication of it. Though India’s overall trade policy remain 
broadly unchanged during the period under review, it is noteworthy the recent reforms introduced 
in the various economic activitie s, including tax reforms, banking reforms and agriculture sector 
reforms. Our traders continue to be of concerned of frequent changes being made to India’s trade 
policy measures and instruments through various circulars and notifications, in particular per taining 
to Free Trade Agreements, which creates uncertainty for many traders.  
4.403.   Notwithstanding minor setbacks, India has been able to maintain its position as an important 
player in global trade arena, while being one of the largest trading partners for ma ny countries, WT/TPR/M/403 • India  
 
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  including neighbouring Sri Lanka. India is the 3rd largest export destination for Sri Lankan products 
with an average share of 6.5% and the 2nd largest source of imports  with an average share of 20%.  
4.404.   India maintains a considerable gap of 33.2 % between its MFN applied duties and bound 
duties at multilateral level, while this gap is much higher for agricultural products. A slight increase 
in average applied MFN tariff is observed compared to the previous review period and a significant 
differenc e of 24.7% is being maintained between simple average applied tariff of agricultural and 
non-agricultural products.  
4.405.   On bilateral front, in terms of total trade, India is Sri Lanka’s number one trading partner. 
Trade balance is continued to be in favour of  India, recording more than 4 times of Sri Lanka’s 
exports to India each year. Nearly two -thirds of Sri Lanka’s exports to India are happening through 
Indo-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement (ISFTA) which is Sri Lanka’s first bilateral FTA signed in 1998. 
Both neighbouring countries are parties to a number of Regional and Preferential Trade Agreements 
namely, South Asian Preferential Trading Arrangement (SAPTA), the Agreement on South Asian Free 
Trade Area (SAFTA), the Global System of Trade Preferences (GSTP),  Asia Pacific Trade Agreement 
(APTA) and the proposed Agreement on the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi -Sectoral Technical and 
Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC).  
4.406.   Sri Lankan authorities continue to engage with their counterparts in resolving ISFTA -related 
market access issues, which hinder the realisation of potential benefits of the bilateral FTA trade in 
goods. The recently issued guidelines for the enforcement of the ‘rules of origin’ for imports under 
preferential trade agreements (CAROTAR) has created a n additional burden for most of our 
exporters, who use ISFTA concessions to enter the Indian import market.  
4.407.   Removal of quantitative restrictions and minimum import prices imposed by India on certain 
products imported from Sri Lanka, customs clearance and sample testing procedures relating to 
certain products, excessive documentation charges and delays and SPS related issues are few 
examples of key issues being addressed in this context.  
4.408.   In addition , representations are being made on different trade remedy  measures imposed 
by India on products imported from of Sri Lanka. Negotiations and discussions are taking place at 
different configurations including, Joint Commission, which is convened at the level of Foreign 
Ministers and Economic Policy dialogue conve ned at the level of Commerce Secretaries to discuss 
these hurdles.  
4.409.   As a result of these continuous deliberations, two countries have agreed to commence 
discussions on an Economic and Technology Cooperation Agreement (ETCA) in 2016. Eleven  rounds 
of negoti ations have been held so far to discuss chapters on Goods, Services, Investments, SPS and 
TBT, Trade Remedies, Rules  of Origin, Customs Procedures and Trade Facilitation, Economic and  
Technology Cooperation and Dispute settlement.  
4.410.   The two cou ntries have signed  a Customs Co operation Agreement on in 2015 and an 
Agreement on the Avoidance of Double Taxation in 2013. India is the 3rd largest investment partner 
of Sri Lanka and the largest source of tourist arrivals to Sri Lanka with a share of 18. 5% in 2019.  
4.411.   In concluding, my delegation appreciates India’s highly valued contribution to the 
multilateral trading system and its active and constructive engagement in the negotiations. As a 
major proponent of the Multilateral Trading System, India is act ive in WTO deliberations of inte rest 
to the developing country M embers. India makes sure its adherence to the nodal principles of the 
multilateral trading s ystem in formulating their international trade policy.  
4.412.   It is also my utm ost duty to place on record  my G overnment’s sincere appreciation for an 
array of assistance extended to Sri Lanka by India during 2020 in support of its efforts in containing 
the challenges of COVID -19 Pandemic. The recent announcement that India has become a reliable 
and economical  supplier of vaccines and other medical solutions for combating the Pandemic gives 
all of us in the developing world a very great hope for future.  
4.413.   In conclusion, the dynamic role played by Ambassador Brajendra Navnit  and his able and 
dynamic team in Geneva in proactively engaging in ongoing activities of WTO, is highly WT/TPR/M/403 • India  
 
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  commendable. My delegation has immensely been benefitted from such close associations and 
interactions.   
4.414.   We sincerely wish Indian delegation a success ful deliberation on its 7th Trade Policy Review.  
JAMAICA  
4.415.   Jamaica warmly welcomes the distinguished delegation of India led by Dr Anup Wadhawan, 
Secretary of the Department of Commerce to this s eventh Trade Policy Review. We thank India for 
its very informa tive and comprehensive report which reflects the hard work which has gone into this 
process. In this regard, we wish to recogniz e Ambassador Navnit and the staff of the Permanent 
Mission of India to the WTO.  
4.416.   In addition, Jamaica wishes to express appreciat ion for the inval uable insights provided by 
our d iscussant, Ambassador Sunanta of Thailand , as well as to the Secretariat team for its 
contribution to this Review. Thanks also to you, Chair, for the expert manner in which you continue 
to guide the work of this body.  
4.417.   We are pleased to be participating in this meeting as Jamaica and India share strong and 
longstanding bonds of friendship and cooperation at the bilateral, regional and international levels. 
Trade and investment constitute important pillars of this partnership. Over the years, the flow of the 
vibrant bilateral trade, has generally been in India’s favour. In 2019, Jamaica’s total imports from 
India were valued at approximately USD  61 million and mainly consisted of pharmaceutical products 
and che micals. In contrast, Jamaica’s principal exports to India are food products, aluminium,  and 
rum. There has also been active and high -level engagement between our two countries aimed at 
further bolstering the existing collaboration, including in the areas o f Information and 
Communications Technology and the Creative Industries, which are of particular interest to Jamaica.  
4.418.   At the regional level, India has also been a friend of CARICO M, providing important 
capacity -building assistance to the region through it s Technical and Economic Cooperation 
Programme (ITEC), as wel l as support to several CARICOM member S tates for humanitarian relief 
and infrastructural development in response to the devastation caused by Hurricanes Irma and 
Maria.  
4.419.   Despite challenges in its  internal and external environments, India’s economy has performed 
well and demonstrated considerable resilience throughout the reporting period. Notwithstanding the 
socio-economic fall -out from the current COVID -19 pandemic, the country is nonetheless exp ected 
to maintain a positive albeit reduced growth rate for 2020, which has been projected at 
approximately 4.2% down from 5.1% in 2019. This is commendable and is a resul t of the country’s 
strong macro economic fundamentals, including in terms of mone tary and fiscal management;  a high 
degree of policy stability, as well as seve ral reforms implemented by the G overnment in areas, such 
as trade, agriculture, taxation, banking and corporate services.   
4.420.   In terms of trade policy, Jamaica commends India for its co nsistent and strategic approach. 
We note the stability in the country’s Foreign Trade Policy (FTP) which is highly integrated across 
the G overnment and covers a five -year period at a time, has greatly contributed to India’s positive 
economic growth and dev elopment, its trade performance and has enhanced its participation in 
international trade and global supply chains. In keeping with this thrust, India has, through several 
trade agreements, strengthened its ties with key bilateral and regional partners wit hin Asia and 
across the globe.  
4.421.   In addition, we note that focus has been rightly placed by India on increasing its 
competitiveness and economic diversification, as well as strengthening its investment regime to 
attract higher inflows of foreign direct inves tment. Undoubtedly, these have collectively contributed 
to the significant strides made by India in recent years in the Global Innovation Index, the World 
Bank Logistics Performance Index,  and the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business Report.  
4.422.   This notwithsta nding, India should seek to strengthen ongoing measures to enhance the 
participation of small and medium enterprises, including women in trade. Importantly, also, we note 
that the country’s services sector, which is mainly centred on software and business services, has 
continued to be the main economic driver, while the agriculture and manufacturing sectors have WT/TPR/M/403 • India  
 
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  been steadily in decline. Against this backdrop, ongoing efforts by the government to promote 
greater economic diversification in order to further advance its national development priorities, as 
well as its trade and economic prospects  should continue to be prioritiz ed. India should further seek 
to address all existing constraints to trade that cou ld potentially hinder the realiz ation of the 
aforemen tioned objectives.  
4.423.   India is a founding M ember of the WTO and an important player in global trade. It therefore 
continues to accord high priority to the work and activities of the Organiz ation, to fulfilling its related 
obligations, to constructively engaging, as well as demonstrating i ts firm commitment to the 
rules-based, multilateral trading system. These efforts should be maintained.  
4.424.   Having ratified the Trade Facilitation Agreement in A pril 2016, India has also been actively 
implemen ting a broad range of supporting measures, including a Customs Single Window;  a Customs 
Electronic Gateway; a new Authoriz ed Operators Programme; the Direct Port Delivery and the Direct 
Port of Entry facilities, to name a few. India has also been making su bstantial efforts, further to the 
adoption of its national policy on Intellectual Property Rights in May 2016, to strengthen its domestic 
legal and administrative framework for the regulation and enforcement of intellectual property and 
related rights. These measures are welcomed and should be further strengthened.  
4.425.   In closing, Jamaica congratulates again India on its efforts and extends to the delegation our 
very best wishes for a successful seventh Trade Policy Review . 
MYANMAR  
4.426.   Myanma r aligns itself with th e ASEAN s tatement delivered by Singapore . 
4.427.   As the only ASEAN country which shares the land border with India, Myanmar is a bridge 
between ASEAN and India, which is a Strategic Dialogue Partner of ASEAN.  
4.428.   At the outset, we wish to express our appreciations to  Her Excellency Ambassador Sunanta 
Kangvalkulkij for her comprehensive remarks. We also welcome Ambassador B rajendra Navnit and 
the Indian d elegation to the 7th Trade Policy Review.  
4.429.   Our appreciation also g oes to the Secretariat for its r eport (WT/TPR/S/40 3) and the Indian 
delegation for the Government r eport (WT/TPR/G/403).  
4.430.   Myanmar and India have maintained cordial relations since ancient times. We also share the 
long inland border and maritime boundary between our two countries. Furthermore, we have many 
affinities in our social, cultural and religious areas.  
4.431.   We also cherished and upheld our diplomatic relations since 1951 and further strengthened 
with the visits of the highest levels.  
4.432.   At the invitation of President of the Republic of India, President of  the Republic of the Union 
of Myanmar paid a State v isit to India in February 2020.  
4.433.   Such high -level visit reinforced the tradition of high-level interactions, which symbolize the 
strong friendly relations existing between the two neighbours.  
4.434.   During the bi lateral visit, the Leaders reaffirmed their commitments to further strengthen 
partnership, explore new avenues of cooperation in order to expand bilateral relations for the mutual 
benefit of the two countries and peoples.  
4.435.   They also acknowledged the need to  make efforts to enhance bilateral trade and economic 
engagement to their full potentials.  
4.436.   Moreover, both sides reiterated their strong commitment to further consolidate friendly and 
amicable bilateral ties and agreed to intensify engagements at all level s. 
4.437.   From the perspective of bilateral trade, India is Myanmar’s 4th largest trading partner after 
Thailand, China and Singapore. Myanmar also appreciates the increased investments from India and WT/TPR/M/403 • India  
 
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  recognized its position as the 12th largest foreign investor a mong 51 countries doing business in 
Myanmar.  
4.438.   Our bilateral trade was boomed in the financial year 2016 -2017 but it was later gradually 
decreased due to decline of exports of pulses and beans to India.  
4.439.   In this connection, the 7th Meeting of Myanmar -India Joint Trade Committee, held virtually 
in November 2020, agreed to improve connectivity, market access an d effective utilization of 
Duty-Free Tariff Preference with a view to increasing bilateral trade and socio -economic 
developments.  
4.440.   Myanmar commends the policy reform measures  and macro economic stability in the Republic 
of India. We also recognize its increased positions in the World Bank’s Doing Business Index, 
Logistics Performance Index,  and the Global Innovation Index.  
4.441.   Myanmar is also inspired by the Visions of the Indian Government and its National 
Infrastructure Pipeline (2019 -2025), which is the Whole -of-Gover nment exercise to provide 
world -class infrastructure and improving the quality of life to all Indian citizens.  
4.442.   Before I c onclude, Myanmar highly appreciates India’s efforts to enhance production 
capacities of essential drugs and related materials in fighting against the COVID 19 Pandemic.  
4.443.   We wish to assure our continued support to India for its efforts and its high reputati on in the 
healthcare system.  
4.444.   I wish the Republic of India every success in its 7th TPR process . 
AFGHANISTAN  
4.445.   It is my pleasure to be among you today. It is my first time officially taking the floor as the 
Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Afghanist an to the WTO. At a time when the world 
has plunged into uncertainty and our normal mode of conduct is disrupted due to the pandemic, I 
believe that  the WTO matters more than ever.  I look forward to working with you all towards 
strengthening the WTO especi ally regarding  development.  
4.446.   Afghanistan extends its gratitude to you and to the Secretariat for convening this meeting 
and for preparing the comprehensive Report. I would like to thank our discussant , H.E. Ambassador 
Sunanta Kangvalkulkij, Permanent Repres entative of Thailand to the WTO and WIPO, for her 
insightful remarks, and welcome India’s capital and Geneva -based delegates to the meeting, led by 
Dr Anup Wadhawan, Secretary of the Department of Commerce.  
4.447.   In particular, we wish to extend our congratulati ons to India for its seventh Trade Policy 
Review, especially  to Ambassador Brajendra Navnit, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of 
India to the WTO, for his leadership, and his competent team for their constant good work here in 
Geneva.  
4.448.   We are impress ed to note that India's economic growth continued to be strong for most of 
the period under review, averaging 7.4% until 2018/19. India’s increasing share growth in global 
exports and imports. Similarly, India’s climb in the crucial economic and growth -related indicators 
such as the World Bank’s Doing Business ranking due to improvement in the trading environment, 
Global Innovation Index,  and the logistic performance Index.  
4.449.   We commend India’s commitment to trade liberalization under the multilateral trading  
system centered on the WTO. The number of reforms which were implemented since the country’s 
last Trade Policy Review in 2015 is remarkable. The introduction of the Goods and Services Tax; the 
Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code; banking reforms to improve sup ervision of banks and non -banking 
financial companies; and  legislation to improve marketing and reduce regulation of agricultural 
products are some good examples.  
4.450.   We commend India for ratifying the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement in 2016 and for 
setting up National Committee on Trade Facilitation. This has resulted in the implementation of WT/TPR/M/403 • India  
 
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  several measures to facilitate trade, such as a reduction in the number of documents required, and 
the automation of the customs clearance system for imports and export s. 
4.451.   Afghanistan values its friendly relations with India. The relations between Afghanistan and 
India have a long history, and the Afghan people have a strong sense of trust and affinity towards 
India, as a country that has achieved rapid economic growth an d development. In the recent past, 
India-Afghanistan relations have been further strengthened by the Strategic Partnership Agreement, 
which was signed between the two countries in October 2011.  
4.452.   Given the geographical proximity and historical linkages, Indi a has been a natural trading 
partner for Afghanistan and is currently the largest market for our exports. The total bilateral trade 
between India and Afghanistan for 2019 -20 is estimated at USD 1.5 billion. This indicates a 200% 
increase since the last tra de policy review of India and a clear indication of effective efforts facilitating 
the trade in the region. While there is immense potential to expand bilateral trade, the difficulties in 
transit has been a major hurdle and we look forward to resolving it in the near future.  
4.453.   The operationalization of Chabahar Port in December 2017 was an important initiative in 
strengthening bilateral trade between the two countries. The po rt has so far handled over 
5000 containers ferrying over 110000 tons of wheat and ov er 2000 tons of pulses sent by India to 
Afghanistan via Chabahar. In 2019, Afghanistan shipped around 700 tons of agricultural and mineral 
products to India through this port.  
4.454.   Furthermore, following the success of the first and second edition of India-Afghanistan Trade 
and Investment Show , titled “Passage to Prosperity”  in 2017 and 2018, the third edition of the event 
was held in September 2019 in Delhi. Trade worth USD 33.6 m illion were signed and 
USD 23.3 million in pre -contract agreements were discussed.  
4.455.   Considering the recent challenges facing the multilateral trading system, Afghanistan counts 
on India’s role among others in preserving an open, rules -based multilateral trading system with the 
WTO at its core, which is transparent and inclusive , with development as the core objective. We 
thank India for taking the initiative to host two informal mini -ministerial meetings in New Delhi, in 
March 2018 and May 2019 in order to build a consensus to safeguard and strengthen the WTO. Also, 
we commend I ndia for co -sponsoring two proposals to resolve the Appellate Body impasse.  
4.456.   We would like to thank India for providing duty -free and quota -free treatment to LDCs, 
following the WTO Hong Kong Ministerial Declaration in December 2005.  
4.457.   I conclude my statement  by wishing India’s delegation a very succe ssful and productive 
Trade Policy R eview.  
ZIMBABWE  
4.458.   We align ourselves with the statement delivered by Mauritius on behalf of the African Group.  
4.459.   The delegation of Zimbabwe has the hono ur to participate in this, the  seventh Trade Policy 
Review of India. We extend our greetings to Dr Wadhawan, Secretary, Department of Commerce 
and his delegation, and look forward to a rich exchange at today’s session. We thank Ambassador 
Aspelund, Chair of the Tr ade Policy Review Body  and the d iscussant, Ambassador Sunanta , for their 
introductory statements which have highlighted the numerous trade  policy measures taken by India  
during the period under review. We also thank the Secretariat for the comprehensive report and all 
the docum ents and logistical arrangements for this Trade Policy Review.  
4.460.   The delegation of Zimbabwe commends the Government of India for successfully 
implementing Ease of Doing Business reforms, which have resulted in India being ranked 63rd in 
2019 on the World Ban k’s Ease of Doing Business Index. This was a remarkable improvement from 
the previous ranking of 142 in 2015. This positive development has been anchored on reforms, 
which include the introduction of the Goods and Services Tax (GST), the implementation of the India 
Customs Single Window, and the ease of incorporation of companie s, amongst many other reforms.  
4.461.   Zimbabwe and India enjoy excellent bilateral relations. Economic ties between Zimbabwe 
and India date back to the 17th Century, during the time of the Munhumutapa Empire for those who WT/TPR/M/403 • India  
 
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  know the history of Zimbabwe when strong trade links in textiles, metals, minerals, spices and salt 
were developed between the Munhumutapa Kingdom and Indian merchants. In modern times, total 
trade between Zimbabw e and Indi a peaked at around USD 257 million in 2015 and has since gone 
down to USD 169 million in 2019.  
4.462.   Zimbabwe continues to export mainly unprocessed raw commodities to India whilst imports 
are primarily in the pharmaceutical, ele ctrical and steel categories. Our immediate priority is to 
increase, diversify the trade basket, and bridge the large trade deficit between our two countries. 
There is also a significant presence of Indian -owned companies in Zimbabwe. For instance, Indian 
owned companies control 80% of th e edible oils industry; 70% of the beverages market; and Indian 
drugs consist of close to 70% of the market share in Zimbabwe.  
4.463.   Cooperation between businesses falls under the auspices of the Zimbabwe -India Chamber 
of Commerce, which was established in 2012,  and technical cooperation and capacity building is 
implemented through various programmes under the India -Africa Forum.  
4.464.   We wish India a successful Trade Policy Review.  
MOZAMBIQUE  
4.465.   Mozambique aligns itself with the statement delivered by Mauritius on behalf of the African 
Group.  
4.466.   Mozambique  welcome s the Indian delegation to this 7th Trade Policy Review  led by  Dr Anup 
Wadhawan , Secretary of Commerce . We thank and congratulate the Indian Government which, 
despite challenges of the moment, continued engaged in preparations of this Trade Policy Review, 
in a clear demonstration of its commitment to the transparency and fulfilment of its WTO 
membership obligations.  
4.467.   We thank the WTO Secretariat specially the Trade Policy Division for its continu ous work 
recogniz ing that due to challenges derived because of COVID -19, efforts continue to be deployed in 
view to accele rating the work in this field. We equally thank the Government of India , as well as the 
WTO Secretariat for the reports which provided  updated information on developments undertaken 
by India not only in policy reforms, but in broader m acroeconomic and social fields. We thank and 
congratulate H .E. Ambassador Sunanta from Thailand, the discussant, for her valuable remarks.  
4.468.   From the report we could learn that the remarkable reforms carried out by the Government 
aimed at advancing not only its economic development and business environment, but also social 
sphere , as well as the strengthening of bilateral and multilateral ties.  
4.469.   This Trade Poli cy Review takes place at a time the world continues to face the unprecedented 
health crisis due to COVID -19 that severely is hitting economies across the world, negatively 
affecting the world growth and the advancement to achievement of the SDGs. We applau d the 
leadership of India to wards the strengthening of the m ultilateral trading system and  thank India for 
its solidarity ties within different frameworks, among which the South -South Cooperation.  
4.470.   We note with concern that despite tremendous effort, revise d policies, reforms and strategies 
implemented, it has not been easy to achieve the projected growth due to challenges that, among 
others, include the COVID -19 pandemic disease facing the world.  
4.471.   The struct ural reforms undertaken by the G overnment towards e nsuring inclusive growth as 
well as measures adopted after the outbreak of COVID -19 are expected to enable the country to 
strong macroeconomic stability. We congratulate the Government for the positive improvements in 
the trading environment that led the c ountry to a better position in the World Bank Doing Business 
as well as in the Global Innovation Index, just to mention a few.  
4.472.   We commend India’s developments not only related to trade, investment, intellectual 
property, medical and pharmaceutical sectors,  but on i nfrastructure development, competitiveness, 
housing, access to clean and affordable energy, healthcare, world class educational institutions, 
railways, logistics and warehousing, thus, economic and social spheres.  WT/TPR/M/403 • India  
 
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  4.473.   India and Mozambique enjoy warm and substantive ties with trading links that go back 
several Centuries,  and pre -date the colonial era b ilaterally, right before independence, India and 
Mozambique had enjoyed for long, remarkable good relationship. Since the independence in 1975, 
cooperation and diplomatic relations were built between Mozambique and India, having India been 
amongst the 1st countries to open a diplomatic mission in Maputo, while Mozambique had set up its 
Mission at New Delhi, India, in the year  2001.  
4.474.   Trade between India and Mozambique run smoothly and the export commodities from India 
comprise refined petroleum products and pharmaceuticals, and the exports from Mozambique to 
India comprise coal and cashew nuts. India and Mozambique have also si gned several bilateral 
agreements and Memoranda of Cooperation for partnering in different sectors like agriculture, rural 
development, scientific and technical research, protection of investments, avoidance of double 
taxation, small and medium enterprises , mineral resources, and others. Assistance has been 
provided through concessional lines of credit (LOCs), implemented through the Export –Import Bank 
of India.  
4.475.   Funded projects have been being carried out by India along the years accounting for large 
amoun ts of US Dollars in Mozambique, in a support that has helped to improve power generation 
and distribution, provision of drinking water, improving production in agriculture, rehabilitation of 
irrigation infrastructure, building of an Information Technology Park, etc. The most significant form 
of support extended by India is in the form of scholarships and training opportunities provided to 
Mozambican students in India.  
4.476.   Through grant assistance, India has helped to enhance the capacity of Mozambican 
institut ions in areas like agriculture, small and medium enterprises, energy, roads, drinking water 
availability, solar energy and information technology, the project Tica -Buzi Highway, funded through 
an Indian credit -line. Indian companies operate with a growing engagement including in areas like 
healthcare, education, and pharmaceuticals, tourism, making Mozambique be among the 
destinations for Indian outward investment in Africa, though recognizing that there is still room for 
increased cooperation.  
4.477.   Our expecta tion is to see increasingly, more fruitful outcomes from the reforms.  
4.478.   To conclude, we wish India a very successful Trade Policy Review.  
EGYPT  
4.479.   At the outset, Egypt would like to align itself with the statement delivered by Mauritius on 
behalf of the African  Group.  
4.480.   We warmly welcome the Indian delegation, headed by Dr. Anup Wadhawan, the Secretary 
of the Department of Commerce. We also would like to thank you, Mr. Chairman, as well as the 
discussant, Her Excellency the Ambassador of Thailand, for the excellen t work and insightful 
comments. And to express our appreciation to India and to the WTO Secretariat for the 
comprehensive reports.  
4.481.   We are pleased to note that the Indian economy has performed well despite the 
unprecedented challenging environment due to th e pandemic. And it is estimated that the GDP 
growth rate will be around 4.2% in 2019 -20. 
4.482.   We commend the Government of India for the structural reforms and the initiatives related 
to the economic and labour policies.  
4.483.   We also commend its efforts in the area of trade facilitation, especially after the ratification 
of the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement in April 2016. It is clear that the trade facilitative measures 
initiated by the Government of India have been instrumental in a drastic reduction of the time and 
cost of border and documentary compliances for exports and imports in the last few years, which 
resulted in a vast improvement in the country ranking of 68 on the trading across borders indicator 
in the World Bank Doing Business Report 2019 from 126 in  2015.  WT/TPR/M/403 • India  
 
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  4.484.   On the bilateral level, Egypt and India have traditionally enjoyed very strong cultural, 
political, and trade relations. India is an important trading partner for Egypt, and strengthening of 
trade and investment relations is an important pillar of o ur bilateral relations. The bilateral trade 
between both countries stood at USD 4.5 billion in 2019. There is considerable potential to expand 
our trade ties in areas including textiles, automobiles, minerals, chemical fertilizers, 
pharmaceuticals,  and agr iculture sector.  
4.485.   Investments between both countries are also growing, with several Indian companies 
operating in Egypt in areas including textiles, specialized chemicals, pharmaceuticals, consumer 
goods, health care, and auto components. Egyptian companies  have also invested in India in areas 
including power , equipment and construction industry.  
4.486.   To conclude, the delegation of Egypt compliments India on its commitment to the multilateral 
trading system and its constructive engagement at the WTO. We look forw ard to working closely 
with India for further expanding our trade and investment relations for the mutual benefit of our 
peoples and we wish the delegation of India a productive and successful TPR  
EL SALVADOR  
4.487.   El Salvador wishes to join the Members who spoke before us in thanking India and the 
delegation led by Secretary Wadhawan and all the Indian officials present today.  
4.488.   We would also like to thank Ambassador Kangvalkulkij of Thailand for her observations, 
comments and analysis, which were very relevan t to this exercise, as well as the Secretariat for the 
report submitted.  
4.489.   We note with great interest the trade facilitation package that India implemented during the 
review period, in particular, the use of information technology for the clearance system f or imports 
and exports, as well as the Indian Electronic Customs Portal and the Single Window Interface for 
Trade Facilitation. We believe that experience in implementing these measures can be of value to 
all Members.  
4.490.   We also note that India notified its s ervices and investment commitments undertaken in the 
framework of its agreements with ASEAN and the Asia -Pacific Trade Agreement. Considering that 
the services sector accounts for around 54% of GDP, we believe that these new commitments in 
services and inv estment will be an important tool for India's development.  
4.491.   Trade between India and the Americas is quite robust; about 5.3% of India's exports and 
imports are destined for the Americas, with the exception of the United States of America and Brazil. 
With re gard to our bilateral relationship, in recent years, El Salvador's imports from India have 
accounted for an average of just over USD 114 million and its exports have accounted for just under 
USD 5 million per year. El Salvador's main imports from India inc lude dyes, vehicles, motorcycles, 
and medicines. This trade depends entirely on the rules negotiated in the WTO.  
4.492.   We welcome the flexibility shown by India and the support that it received from the 
Secretariat to be able to carry out this review and the reg ular work of the Organization.  
4.493.   At the multilateral level, as reflected in the Secretariat report, India has been an active 
participant in the regular work of WTO Committees, negotiations, dispute settlement, the monitoring 
exercise and plurilateral initiatives.  
4.494.   Lastly, I would like to wish India every success in this Review.  
SOUTH  AFRICA  
4.495.   We would like to thank you Chair for giving us the floor and congratulate India for its 7th 
trade policy review.   
4.496.   We associate ourselves with the Afric an Group Statement read by Mauritius.  WT/TPR/M/403 • India  
 
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  4.497.   Let me start by thanking the Secretary of the Department of Commerce of India and 
Ambassador Navnit and their teams, and commend them for the work undertaken in preparations 
for this review. We also thank H.E. Ms Sunan tha, the Ambassador of Thailand for her contribution 
as a discussant.  
4.498.   As a founding Member of the WTO, India has demonstrated its commitment to the WTO. Its 
contribution aimed at strengthening the WTO to ensure a fair and equitable multilateral trading 
system has been notable. Most importantly, India consistently pursues a development -oriented 
agenda that emphasizes core issues of interest not only to developing countries but ensures that 
trade delivers for all. This includes a food security agenda through a permanent solution on PSH in 
agriculture and broadly the need for the WTO to deliver on agriculture reform as entailed in Article 
20 of the Agreement on Agriculture. As well as TRIPS and public health, especially in the context of 
the pandemic through th e proposal on the TRIPS Waiver and a commitment to WTO reform agenda 
that promotes development and inclusivity.  
4.499.   India and South Africa enjoy strong and growing bilateral trade and investment relations. 
India was South Africa`s 4th largest trading partner i n 2019 with total trade which stood at 
USD 8.4 billion. Trade is relatively balanced, although more effort is required to improve the 
composition and structure of trade as the biggest proportion of South Africa`s exports remain 
primary products. India is a n important market for South Africa and we are looking forward to work 
with India to increase our exports of manufactured products.  
4.500.   We note from the report of the Secretariat that during the period under review, a number of 
reforms were implemented by Indi a, including the introduction of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) 
to harmonize the indirect tax system which has been a concern for our traders. The complexity of 
the tariff schedule also remains an issue of concern for our traders. We also welcome the ena ctment 
of legislation to improve marketing of agriculture products and to reduce their regulation. 
Importantly, the trade policy remained broadly unchanged thus promoting predictability in trade.  
4.501.   The COVID -19 pandemic is having a devastating impact on man y economies, it is laudable 
that India is expected to experience positive growth albeit smaller than originally projected. This 
points to a need for the WTO to have a comprehensive and growth -oriented response to COVID -19 
that takes into account the unprec edented impact of the crisis.  
4.502.   In view of rising inequality both between and within countries, we find the economic inclusion 
policies which were enacted to ensure less rural distress, promote food security and support farmers 
a notable development. In ligh t of the impact of COVID -19 on food security, it is important to reflect 
on a WTO food security -oriented agenda as part of agriculture reform. Sharing of experiences on 
national policies is something worth considering as it may result in an enriching debat e on 
mechanisms that promote inclusive growth and development which should be the focus of the WTO 
given the differences in levels of development and diversity of its membership.  
4.503.   We also note that the share of the manufacturing sector in India's GDP decre ased from 
16.3% in 2014/2015 to 15.1% in 2019/2020. India has run a deficit in its balance of trade in 
manufactured goods during the review period, with growth in imports outstripping that of exports. 
This emphasizes the need for a focused strategy aimed a t increasing the share of manufacturing.  
4.504.   The decline in imports from Africa from 8.7% in 2014/15 to 8% in 2018/19 is a cause for 
concern. We hope that as India implements the National Manufacturing Policy (NMP), it will consider 
building strategic and mut ually beneficial value chains with African countries that contribute to 
sustainable growth and development and that encourage both parties to move up the value -chain. 
This is especially important given that trading under the AfCFTA started from 1 January 2 021. As 
such tariffs on various commodities with agreed rules of origin will be drastically reduced or removed 
giving access to a larger market of over 1 billion people. NTBs will also be addressed with a specific 
mechanism established for traders to repor t NTBs. The implementation of the AfCFTA therefore 
presents opportunities to unlock growth for both sides.  
4.505.   In relation to investment, we note the role of tariffs in sustaining the attraction of FDI in the 
auto sector which as the Secretariat report states is in part due to the large domestic market and 
relatively high tariffs. This highlights the importance of a strategic trade policy that selectively uses 
tariffs as an important policy tool to attract investment in key sectors of the economy.  WT/TPR/M/403 • India  
 
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  4.506.   Finally, we wish India a successful trade policy review and welcome India`s commitment 
and contribution to a rules -based MTS and to Africa`s development through the India -Africa Forum. 
We also thank the Secretariat for its report.  
NEPAL  
4.507.   First, my delegation would like  to welcome the delegation of India led by Commerce 
Secretary , Dr Anup Wadhawan, and appreciate his c omprehensive opening remarks.  
4.508.   We appreciate India’s continuous commitment and contribution to rule s-based, just  and 
predictable multilateral trading system. Hosting two informal mini -ministerial meetings by India to 
build consensus in the multilater al trading system reflects it.  
4.509.   My delegation thanks H.E. Ms Sunanta Kangvalkulkij, Ambassador of Thailand to the WTO , 
for her insig htful remarks as discussant.  
4.510.   Let me congratulate the Government of India for its comprehensive report and commend 
the Secretariat for the detailed report of th e trade policy review of India.  
4.511.   While going through the reports, it is evident that India has taken remarkable forward steps 
to improve its trade and economic policies over the past few years in a more inclusive and sustainable 
manner.  
4.512.   Maintaining strong foundation of the economy, struc tural reforms for inclusive growth, 
macroeconomic stability, and increased FDI inflows, among others, have contributed to achieve the 
national target of socio -economic development of the country.  
4.513.   Significant improvements in the trading environment have re sulted in its remarkable 
progress in Doing Business ranking from 142 in 2015 to 63 in 2019.  Improvements in innovation, 
logistics performance, investment facilitation, infrastructure development, and inclusive financial 
services have become important contr ibutors to driving India’s economic growth.  
4.514.   These milestones point towards attaining the target of the  Indian economy to reach to 
USD 5 trillion by 2024 -25.  
4.515.   Nepal takes a pleasure to mention India’s significant progress in diversifying its goods trade 
market and increasing its share in world’s  commercial services exports.  
4.516.   Nepal commends the Government of India for effectively managing the COVID -19 pandemic 
and progress made in the pr oduction of COVID vaccines.  
4.517.   Nepal highly appreciates India’s continued s upport to LDCs’ agenda at the WTO system and 
its initiatives to extend various supports especially preferential treatments in both goods and services 
trade in favour of the LDCs and capacity buildings.   
4.518.   Nepal and India are the closest neighbours since the  time immemorial. The relationship 
between the two countries is based on mutual trust and understanding, warmth of friendship and 
strong cooperative foundation. Our bilateral relations are bound by history, geography, economic 
cooperation, socio -cultural b ond, and people -to-people contacts. With the passage of time, our ties 
have been advancing with increased interactions and close cooperation.  
4.519.   A number of mechanisms exist for strengthening bilateral cooperation covering multifaceted 
areas including trade a nd economic cooperation, connectivity and water resources.  
4.520.   My delegation would like to acknowledge India’s significant support to Nepal mainly in 
infrastructure development including cross -border and trade logistics infrastructure, information and 
communic ation technology, and capacity building, together with some vital social sectors such as 
health, education, and human resource development.  WT/TPR/M/403 • India  
 
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  4.521.   Nepal values India’s support to upgrading and advancing trade infrastructure at border 
points, enhancing connectivi ty through linking trading points by roads, railways and waterways, and 
easing the transit process.  
4.522.   Nepal’s partnership with India in the areas of trade and transit is a matter of utmost 
importance to Nepal.  
4.523.   Both public and private sectors of India have invested in Nepal and India is one of the biggest 
source s of investment in Nepal.  
4.524.   I take the opportunity to express Nepal’s gratitude to the Government of India for 
uninterrupted supplies of goods and keeping transit points operational during the period of  pandemic 
and lockdown.  
4.525.   Transit facilities provided by India have played a crucial role in enhancing trade of a 
landlocked country like Nepal.   
4.526.   Trade statistics reveals phenomenal increase in the volume of bilateral trade over the years. 
India is the larg est trading partner of Nepal – both in terms of import and export of goods trade 
covering about 62 % of Nepal’s total trade in the fiscal year 2019/20.  
4.527.   Nepal is the second largest trading partner of India in South Asia and one of the top 10 
export destinati ons of Indian goods in the world market.  
4.528.   Nepal imported various goods from India worth of about 735 billion Nepali rupees while 
exported to India worth of only about 70 billion Nepali rupees in the same fiscal year, translating to 
a trade deficit of about 665 billion Nepali rupees which accounts for 60.5 % of Nepal’s total trade 
deficit.   
4.529.   Nepal’s escalating trade deficit with India underlines the need for enriched collaboration and 
partnership between both the countries in the areas of trade and investment for our mutual benefit.  
4.530.   My delegation fondly recalls the recent meeting of the Inter -Governmental Committee of 
Commerce Secretaries where both sides have discussed a wide range of agenda of mutual interest 
in trade, transit, investment, and greater econom ic integration. The positive outcomes of this 
meeting to update the existing mechanism of bilateral relation in trade and transit, and up -gradation 
of border and trade logistic infrastructure assumes great importance in making further progress in 
these are as for mutual benefit.   
4.531.   Besides the bilateral cooperation, both the countries have been deeply engaged in the 
regional and sub -regional frameworks of SAARC, BIMSTEC and BBIN for enhancing cooperation for 
greater economic integration by harnessing collecti vely the potentials and complementarities 
available in the region.  
4.532.   My dele gation wishes for a successful Trade Policy R eview of India.  
CHAD  ON BEHALF  OF THE LDC GROUP  
4.533.   On behalf of the LDC Group, the Republic of Chad would like to congratulate the delegation  of 
India for conducting its seventh Trade Policy Review in the WTO. We also congratulate 
H.E. Ms Sunanta Kangvalkulkij, Ambassador of Thailand, for her excellent work as discussant, and 
the WTO Secretariat for preparing its report.  
4.534.   India is a ma jor stakeholder in global trade and a strong supporter of a strong multilateral, 
rules-based, fair, transparent and inclusive multilateral system. As is also the case for the rest of 
the world and the other WTO Members, India is experiencing a difficult ec onomic situation due to 
the effects of the COVID -19 pandemic and the restrictions on activities and travel.  
4.535.   However, looking back at the review period covering the past five years, since 2015, the 
figures show a strong, growing Indian economy and a gradual  improvement in its fundamentals. 
This can be seen, inter alia, in the recorded increase in exports and imports, increased inward WT/TPR/M/403 • India  
 
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  investment flows, as well as in the significantly improved business climate and the improved ease 
of doing business and invest ment facilitation, according to India's World Bank's Doing Business 
ranking, in which it climbed from the 142nd to 63rd position in 2020.  
4.536.   Thus, the fundamentals of the Indian economy remain strong in the face of the current crisis 
with a low level of debt , controlled inflation, and structural reform commitments to improve the 
efficiency of the private sector and increase the revenue collected.  
4.537.   With respect to trade relations with LDCs, our Group at the WTO welcomes the initiatives 
taken by India, particularly since the Hong Kong Ministerial Conference in 2005, to expand trade 
and market access.  
4.538.   The preferences granted by India to LDCs affect bo th duty -free and quota -free market 
access, facilitated access for LDC service suppliers, as well as the establishment of preferential rules 
of origin in line with the Nairobi Decision in 2015.  
4.539.   These are fundamental special and differential treatment compon ents for our Group, which 
take into account the particular constraints and challenges that we are facing to enable us to 
integrate better into global trade.  
4.540.   We hope that these gains can be consolidated in the future. The LDC Group highly 
appreciates the su pport India is able to provide to LDCs in the ongoing WTO negotiations and in the 
work of the regular bodies.  
4.541.   Like India, the LDC group would like to see a strong, rules -based, fair, transparent and 
inclusive multilateral trading system. We also aspire to sustainable growth and development 
benefitting our people.  
4.542.   Finally, we expect a fruitful deepening of our trade relations with India.  
4.543.   The LDC Group takes this opportunity to renew its congratulations to India on the initiatives 
and reforms that it has init iated. We wish it every success in the future and in this Trade Policy 
Review.  
TAJIKISTAN  
4.544.   I hope that you are all staying safe and healthy together with your families while going 
through these difficult times.  
4.545.   Tajikistan is pleased to participate in the se venth Trade Policy Review of India and would like 
to extend warm greetings to the en tire d elegation of India led by Dr Anup Wadhawan, Secretary, 
Department of Commerce.  
4.546.   Diplomatic relations between the two countries were established in August 1992. The 
bilateral cooperation between Tajikistan and India has been dynamically developing thanks to 
intense efforts of both parties. The legal framework on bilat eral relations between the two S tates 
includes more than 70 intergovernmental and sectorial agreements a nd MOUs.  
4.547.   Intergovernmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation 
between the two countries serves as a key mechanism for the development of bilateral economic 
cooperation. In 2019, the trade turnover between the two countries reached USD 24 million 262 
thousand. As the expansion of trade cooperation is in the interests of both states it is important to 
make use of available opportunities for the development of trade relations between Tajikistan and 
India.  
4.548.   We appreciate the eff orts of the Government of India and the Secretariat in producing the 
repor ts, and the d iscussant for her insights. The reports provide comprehensive details on the 
developments in India’s economic and trade policy since its last review.  
4.549.   This seventh Trade Policy Review of India provides a great opportunity to improve our 
understanding of its trade and investment regime. The Republic of Tajikistan commends India for WT/TPR/M/403 • India  
 
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  significant achievements made since last TPR. India's economic growth continued to be strong for 
most of the period under review, averaging 7.4% until 2018/19.  
4.550.   We welcome the efforts of India, particularly to advance WTO reform discussions and its 
active engagement in a number of plurilateral and multilateral initiatives at the WTO.  
4.551.   India as an o riginal Member of the WTO , it ratified the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) 
on 22 April 2016. It is a party to the WTO Information Technology Agreement (ITA), but not the 
expanded ITA. India is an observer to the WTO Agreement on Government Procurement ( GPA). 
During the review period, India made a number of notifications to the WTO.  
4.552.   In conclusion , the Republic of Tajikistan highly appreciates the hard work and strong 
commitment of India and wishes a very successful and productive Trade Policy Review.  
KIRGYZ REPUBLIC  
4.553.   The Kyrgyz Republic welcomes the delegation of the India lead by Dr Anup Wadhawan 
(Secretary of Department of Commerce).  
4.554.   We thank the WTO Secretariat and the Government of India for preparing such 
comprehensive an d detailed Trade Policy Review r eports. W e would also like to thank the d iscussant, 
H.E. M s. Sunanta Kangvalkulkij (Thailand) for her insightful comments.  
4.555.   Since the beginning of its M embership to the WTO, India has demonstrated highest 
dedication to the WTO rules and , as it has been said at the last TPR of 2015 , has convincingly shown 
its commitment to trade liberalization under the multilateral trading system centered on the WTO 
continuously.  
4.556.   Among many other successful steps on the WTO platform are the early acceptance of Trad e 
Facilitation Agreement and Protocol Amending the TRIPS Agreement.  
4.557.   Bilateral trade and economic cooperation between the Kyrgyz Republic and the Republic of 
India is developing steadily and systematically. The Kyrgyz Republic and India closely cooperate 
bilaterally, as well as multilaterally within other O rganizations and initiatives such as UN, Shanghai 
Cooperation Organization and WTO. Nowadays , the Eurasian Economic Union and India  are having 
an active dialogue regarding possibilities of further cooperat ion. 
4.558.   On the bilateral basis, our countries established an Int ergovernmental Council on 
trade -economic and scientific -technical cooperation. To date, nine meetings of the Kyrgyz -Indian 
Council have been held.  
4.559.   As result of the ninth meeting of the Council i n 2018 , our countries agreed to take the 
necessary measures to increase interaction between exporters and importers. The agreement to 
increase the supply of agricultural products to the markets of the two countries was achieved.  
4.560.   Besides the activity of the Council, the relations evolve by organization of events aimed for 
expansion of cooperation with participation of officials on the highest levels.  
4.561.   In January 2019 , business forum organized by commerce chambers of our countries w as 
held in India. During the forum , the Indian entrepreneurs were informed about the work being done 
by the Kyrgyz Republic to establish favourable  conditions for investment activities, as well as for 
developing bilateral economic ties with India. The Mini ster of the foreign affairs of the Kyrgyz 
Republic separately met with representatives of the Indian business community interested in 
implementing business projects in the field of light industry, medicine, tourism, IT technologies, 
agriculture, and educat ional programs. In turn, the Indian business demonstrated interest in doing 
business in the Kyrgyz Republic.  
4.562.   Among the last and the biggest remarkable events in bilateral relations , the business forum 
was held in June 2019 with the participation of the President of Kyrgyzstan , Sooronbay Jeenbekov , 
and Prime Minister of India , Narendra Modi. During the forum it was noted that countries do not fully 
use the existing potential in trade. The Kyrgyz Republic expressed interest in increasing export of WT/TPR/M/403 • India  
 
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  bio-product ion and providing the necessary conditions to Indian business. We hope that efforts on 
strengthening the trade and agreements achieved between the parties will give impetus to develop 
joint projects in various sectors of our countries such as tourism, heal thcare, energy, information 
technology, and agriculture.  
4.563.   Our countries have established beneficial mutual trade. The dynamics of trade from 2016 to 
2019 demonstrates positive trend.  
4.564.   Kyrgyzstan's imports from India increased by 85% for the period 2016 to 20 19.  
4.565.   The main share of imports from India is represented by products of the chemical industry: 
pharmaceutical products, perfumes and cosmetics. Also, mechanical engineering products; light 
industry products: textiles and shoes; food products: tea, coffee, spices, rice are widely distributed 
in the Kyrgyz market.  
4.566.   Kyrgyzstan's exports to India increased by 30% for the period 2016 to 2019.  
4.567.   Exports from Kyrgyzstan to India today consist of dried fruits, bean, honey, medical herbals, 
meat and fish products, tanned leather, including defence  industry products.  
4.568.   In terms of services, it is worth to note that tourism, education and IT services hav e the 
potential to increase share of trade in services.  
4.569.   The Kyrgyz Republic is interested on further fruitful economic cooperation and deepening 
trade -economic relations with India.  
4.570.   The Kyrgyz Republic wishes a successful seventh Trade Policy Review to In dia. 
BOLIVARIAN  REPUBLIC  OF VENEZUELA  
4.571.   The delegation of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela welcomes the presence of the 
Secretary of the Department of Trade, Dr Anup Wadhawan and the accompanying delegation.  
4.572.   We would like to thank the discussant, Ambassa dor of Thailand to the WTO, Ms Sunanta 
Kangvalkulkij, for her analysis, which provides context, and also the Secretariat for its outstanding 
work.  
4.573.   We begin our intervention by highlighting the ties of friendship and strategic trade 
cooperation which have l inked our country with India since 1 October 1959, and which are 
characterized by cordiality, complementarity and respect for the self -determination of peoples. We 
share common visions regarding development and building a multicentric and multipolar world.  
4.574.   In this context, we recall the visit of President Hugo Chávez to India in March 2005, a 
South -South rapprochement between the two peoples and Governments, in which major agreements 
were signed in the areas of energy and hydrocarbons, as well as health, ag riculture, air transport 
and also cultural matters, for which a Joint Commission was established.  
4.575.   Based on the report submitted by India for this Trade Policy Review, we highlight the indices 
presented by India at a time when the world is witnessing an unp recedented health crisis caused by 
COVID -19. We note that the fundamentals of the Indian economy continue to be sound, which has 
enabled the country to maintain macroeconomic stability.  
4.576.   We also welcome India's progress in increasing the production capacity  of essential 
medicines and other materials to support health care systems around the world. We hope that this 
example will continue to be reproduced in all corners of the planet.  
4.577.   In our particular case, since 2019, several Indian pharmaceutical companies have obtained 
the relevant permits to operate in Venezuela. This trade relationship with private enterprises has 
been successfully maintained and has been instrumental in addressing the fierce blockade imposed 
unilaterally by the US Government on Venezuela . WT/TPR/M/403 • India  
 
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  4.578.   It should be noted that India and Venezuela have established trade relations for oil 
exploration and production in our country. The Indian Minister of Petroleum, Dharmendra Pradhan 
recently stated that India is seeking to diversify its crude oil imports,  including the resumption of 
purchases from Venezuela.  
4.579.   India imports many products from Venezuela, including mineral fuels, mineral oils and 
products of their distillation, bituminous substances, mineral waxes, iron and steel, aluminium, 
edible plants and certain roots and tubers, copper and articles thereof, and lead and articles thereof.  
4.580.   India's main export items to Venezuela include mineral oils and products of their distillation, 
bituminous substances, pharmaceutical products, cotton, nuclear reactors, boilers, machinery and 
mechanical appliances, electrical machinery and equipment, sound and television recorders and 
reproducers, clothing accessories and miscellaneous chemical products.  
4.581.   We also wish to highlight India's cooperation with Venezuela through  the International Solar 
Alliance (ISA), to promote the use of solar energy among nations across the world and combat 
climate change.  
4.582.   In the context of the WTO reform process, Venezuela shares with India the development 
vision that should prevail in this O rganization. In this connection, we note the co -sponsorship of the 
joint paper entitled "Statement on Special and Differential Treatment to Promote Development" 
(WT/GC/202/Rev.1), in which we support the defence and recognition of the principle of special and 
differential treatment in the WTO. Another key element is the preservation of the principle of 
consensus -based decision making.  
4.583.   Furthermore, our delegations share concerns about the blocking of the Appellate Body 
selection process, which would affect o ne of the central pillars of this Organization that is the Dispute 
Settlement Body, and about the transparency proposal submitted by the United States together with 
other delegations, which seeks to apply punitive measures and additional burdens to countri es that 
have the most difficulties in complying with their notification commitments.  
4.584.   In the process of the current multilateral trade negotiations, we share similar positions on 
agriculture, including public stockholding for food security purposes, as well  as the defence of special 
and differential treatment in the fisheries subsidies negotiations, including artisanal and subsistence 
fishing.  
4.585.   In the context of COVID -19, our countries co -sponsor the document entitled "Proposal for a 
Waiver from Certain Provi sions of the TRIPS Agreement for the Prevention, Containment and 
Treatment of COVID -19" (document IP/C/W/669), which calls for a waiver for all WTO Members of 
certain provisions of the TRIPS Agreement relating to the "prevention, containment or treatment" of 
COVID -19. 
4.586.   On the trade measures applied unilaterally by the United States, both Venezuela and India 
are concerned about the measures applied to imports of iron and aluminium under Section 232 of 
the Trade Expansion Act of 1962. These measures are justified by the Un ited States on the grounds 
of alleged injury to aluminium production. However, due to the quantities and conditions of imports, 
it should have been applied on the basis of the Agreement on Safeguards.   
4.587.   India's cooperation with Venezuela on WTO matters shou ld be highlighted, especially the 
training programme in India for Venezuelan experts under the ITEC programme, from which 
diplomatic officials from our Permanent Mission in Geneva benefitted.  
4.588.   I would not like to conclude without highlighting the excellent work of the Indian team and 
its Ambassador to the WTO, who have developed an important leadership role in the Organization.  
4.589.   We wish India a successful Trade Policy Review and we would like to end our intervention by 
reaffirming the bonds of friendship, coo peration, complementarity and respect for the 
self-determination of peoples between our countries, as well as our shared commitment to the 
establishment of a strong, fair and predictable multilateral trading system, based on solidarity and 
on common and tr ansparent rules, that may lead to a swift resolution of the issues of concern to the 
majority of this Organization's Members in the interests of the peoples of the world.  WT/TPR/M/403 • India  
 
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  KINGDOM  OF SAUDI  ARABIA  
4.590.   The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is very pleased to take part in t he seventh Trade Policy Review 
of India and would like to extend a very warm welcome to the delegation of India, headed by 
H.E. Dr Anup Wadhawan, Secretary, Department of Commerce.  
4.591.   The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia wishes to thank the WTO Secretariat and India’s  Government 
for their detailed and comprehensive Reports and also thanks the Discussant, H.E. Ms Sunanta 
Kangvalkulkij from Thailand for her insightful comments.    
4.592.   The trade policy  review reports of the Secretariat and the Government of India highlight the 
continuous progress of the Indian economy in the recent years in terms of GDP growth and trade 
expansion. Progress has been sustained even in the face of the world economic crisis , India's 
economic growth continued to be strong for most of the period under review, averaging 7.4% until 
2018/19.  
4.593.   Nevertheless, despite this impressive economic growth, India like the rest of the world 
economies has been facing the challenges caused by the COVID -19 pandemic. These challenges are 
being addressed through Fiscal and monetary policies along with short - and longer -term measures 
targeting certain sectors of the economy.  
4.594.   Open trade is clearly vital for India as it continues its development and  growth. India is to 
be commended for its reforms in taxes, banking, agriculture, IPR, tourism, and enhancing digital 
capacities. We also praise India for its initiatives such as "make in India", "digital India" and "startup 
India"; promoting the diversifi cation of India's exports; creating an architecture for India's 
engagement with key regions of the world and encouraging a larger flow of efficiency -seeking FDI.  
4.595.   However, as the Secretariat Report pointed out, the high level of trade remedy usage 
particula rly anti -dumping measures. India initiated 233 investigations, a sharp increase since 
2011-14 (June). The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia encourages India to redouble its commitment to 
adhere to the basic anti -dumping rules and methodologies that limit the applica tion of anti -dumping 
measures to protection against unfair trade, so as not to distort the competitive opportunities that 
should benefit all participants in our international trading system.  
4.596.   The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and India are prominent trading part ners; their trade relations 
go back several centuries in time. Today, the bilateral business ties are being steadily expanded and 
further strengthened by continuous interaction and cooperation. During 2019 -2020, Saudi Arabia is 
the 4th largest trading part ner for India and a major source of energy as India imports around 18% 
of its crude oil requirement and 30 % of its LPG requirement from the Kingdom. The bilateral trade 
between the two countries is valued at US D 33.09 billion.  
4.597.   The State visit of Crown Pri nce Mohammad bin Salman to India in February 2019 has marked 
a new era in the bilateral relations, which culminated in the setting up of the Strategic Partnership 
Council, co -chaired by the two leaders. Besides that, the two sides signed 11 other Memorandu m of 
Understandings in the fields of energy, security, defence  production, civil aviation, medical products, 
strategic petroleum reserves, small and medium scale industries.  
4.598.   As an original member of the WTO, India is an active member of this organization and an 
active supporter of the multilateral trading system. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia looks forward to 
continuing to work with India and the rest of the membership to supporting and strengthening the 
WTO.  
4.599.   To conclude, we commend Mr. Brajendra Navnit, Am bassador and Permanent Representative 
and his delegation for the positive and active role in this House and wish the entire delegation of 
India a very successful Trade Policy Review.  
HONDURAS  
4.600.   Firstly, we wish to express our best wishes for this New Year to  all of you and your families.  WT/TPR/M/403 • India  
 
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  4.601.   We welcome and congratulate the Indian authorities on the occasion of its seventh Trade 
Policy Review, and also wish to thank the discussant and the WTO Secretariat for the quality of the 
report.  
4.602.   We are pleased to note that t he reports show that the strong economic growth recorded 
during the period under review has led to a steady improvement in India's socio -economic indicators, 
where the increase in per capita income has been accompanied by an increase in life expectancy, 
from 63 years in 2000 to 69 years in 2017, and a decrease in the mortality rate to 37 per 1000 live 
births.  
4.603.   Also, we note that, in 2016, India established its first National Intellectual Property Rights 
Policy to support the creation of a knowledge -driven ec onomy, in order to promote economic and 
social development, and was the first member of WIPO to ratify the Marrakesh Agreement 
establishing the mandatory obligation for copyrighted works to be accessible to visually -impaired 
persons.  
4.604.   We also note the intro duction, in 2015, of the Export from India Scheme and its two 
sub-programmes relating to goods and services.  
4.605.   Our countries share the commitment to the advancement of the WTO's multilateral trading 
system, which is based on rules and, inter alia, the princi ples of openness, transparency, 
non-discrimination, inclusion and due process.  
4.606.   In order to strengthen our relations, an agreement was signed between the Government of 
Honduras and the Export Import Bank of India, which granted credit for a total of USD 22. 5 million 
for the implementation of the Jamastrán Valley agricultural development project.  
4.607.   The project will benefit 900 producers and create 11,000 direct jobs among the owners of 
the land that will be irrigated and those that will benefit from employment.  Through this initiative, 
3,757 hectares will be used for export crops, in addition to staple grains, such as oriental vegetables, 
vegetables, chilies, tomatoes and onions, which are profitable crops and thus contribute to nutritional 
food security in the country.  
4.608.   As part of India's proposal to establish training centres on IT -related topics in SICA countries, 
a centre for this purpose has been established at the National Autonomous University of Honduras, 
in which more than 20,000 students have been traine d. 
4.609.   Finally, we wish to acknowledge the leadership role played by India in the various initiatives 
presented in this forum and congratulate it on its important achievements and efforts during the 
period under review. We wish India every success.  
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  5  REPLIES BY THE REPRESENTATIVE OF INDIA  AND ADDITIONAL COMMENTS  
Introduction  
5.1.  I wish to begin by thanking all the distinguished Members for having actively participated in 
India’s 7th Trade Policy Review. Let me also convey our sincere thanks to the Permanen t 
Representative of Thailand, H.E. (Ms.) Ambassador Sunanta Kangvalkulkij, for her commendable 
role as the Discussant by offering an insightful analysis of India's trade and economic policy regime, 
that provided an excellent backdrop for constructive delib erations during this review. I would also 
like to convey our gratitude to the Chairman, TPRB, Ambassador (Mr.) Harald Aspelund for 
conducting the proceedings smoothly and efficiently and to the WTO Secretariat for their support.  
5.2.  Chair, we are extremely ple ased with the interest shown by the Members in our TPR. More than 
50 delegations taking the floor on Day 1 and submission of about 1050 written questions, bears 
testimony to the importance Members place on India’s role in and contribution to world trade, a s 
well as to the multilateral trading system.  
5.3.  My delegation and I have paid careful attention to all interventions by the Members, and have 
taken note of the appreciation accorded to our reform efforts, as well as the concerns expressed. I 
wish to highlig ht that reform is a continuous and ongoing process, and the Government is deeply 
committed to pursuing this path to make India an attractive trade and investment partner for the 
world. We appreciate the positive assessment of India's reforms by several Mem bers. I also wish to 
assure everyone that we will strive to forge greater economic and trade linkages with the world, by 
utilizing all avenues available to us – whether multilateral, regional or bilateral.  
Remarks on the Members' interventi ons 
5.4.  Most of the concerns raised by member countries have already been responded to through 
written answers. I trust the Members have had the time to go through our replies. Accordingly, in 
my response today, I will limit myself to broadly addressing these concerns, issue -wise.  
5.5.  Beginning with Agriculture, we thank the Members who have commended India’s reforms in 
the agriculture sector. On the concern raised with regard to domestic support to the agriculture 
sector, I would like to mention that the support given is largely  to the small and marginal farmers, 
and is in accordance with India’s commitments at the WTO. Such support is necessary in view of 
food and livelihood security issues related to the large population dependant on agriculture. I may 
state here that India’s p er farmer support is significantly lower than the support provided by most 
developed Members. With low market surplus, subsistence farming, low per farmer support and the 
pre-dominance of resource -poor farmers, India’s input subsidies are minimally trade -distorting and 
consistent with Article 6.2 of the Agreement on Agriculture.  
5.6.  Chair, as I mentioned in my opening statement, while emphasizing India’s advocacy of a short -
term package to mitigate the immediate fallout of COVID -19, the ongoing pandemic has ag ain 
brought to the fore, the importance of food and livelihood security, which was reflected in the 
interventions made by a number of Members. Finding a permanent solution for public stockholding 
(PSH) for food security has, therefore, assumed a far greate r importance and priority.  
5.7.  India, like several other WTO Members, has been undertaking regular tariff liberalization and 
our applied tariffs are well within our WTO commitments. As highlighted by me during the first 
session, India’s average bound MFN rate for all products is about 50 per cent, while the applied rates 
are much lower. I wish to assure the Membership that extensive deliberations and well laid out policy 
modalities and contours ensure that India’s tariff changes are transparent and rational, an d thereby 
provide a stable policy environment.  
5.8.  Some Members have commented on the import licensing regime in India. Let me underline that 
India's import licensing regime is open and transparent. Licenses are granted on a non -
discriminatory basis. The relev ant regulations are available in the public domain. Further, import 
licensing affects only a few restricted items, primarily on grounds like protecting human, animal and 
plant life, and the environment.  WT/TPR/M/403 • India  
 
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  5.9.  We have also noted observations regarding the number  of instances of Anti -Dumping Measures 
during the review period. I would like to reiterate that these investigations are conducted in a 
transparent manner and in accordance with the provisions of the WTO Anti -dumping Agreement. 
Reasonable and adequate oppo rtunity is provided to interested parties at every stage of the 
investigation. Further, the measures, as imposed, impinge on a miniscule proportion of our total 
imports. Safeguard Measures used by India are also in accordance with the provisions of the 
Safeguards Agreement, and follow a rigorous process, which is objective and transparent.  
5.10.   Some Members expressed concerns about our TBT and SPS measures. I would like to reiterate 
that India fully adheres to the transparency provisions in the adoption and impl ementation of these 
measures and  remains committed to being in conformity with its obligations at the WTO in this 
regard. I wish to underline that most of India’s technical regulations rely on international standards 
and are implemented in close consultati on with all stakeholders. Further, none of these measures 
are discriminatory or create any unwarranted obligations that could be termed as trade barriers. 
They are also equally applicable to both domestic and foreign manufacturers.  
5.11.   Chair, it was highlighte d in the opening statement that the GST has been one of the most 
significant structural reforms in the field of taxation, since our independence. I am happy to note 
that Members have expressed their satisfaction over introduction of this path -breaking refo rm during 
the Review period. A large number of Members also appreciated India’s trade facilitation efforts, 
including ratification of the Trade Facilitation Agreement and various steps taken for its effective 
implementation. We have noted Members’ interest  in an early implementation of the remaining 
Category B Commitments, and assure the membership that we are already working in that direction. 
We are also working on streamlining and simplifying the overall business environment further, with 
an aim to break  into the top 50 in the World Bank’s Doing Business Report.  
5.12.   We appreciate the Members who welcomed and commended India’s National Intellectual 
Property Rights Policy, 2016. Needless to say, the policy recognises the role of creativity and 
innovation in the  development of India as a knowledge economy. We also thank Members for 
recognising and appreciating India's liberalised Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) Policy, which now 
allows 100% shareholding on the automatic approval route, for most sectors. We noted the concern 
over some recent amendments, which I wish to clarify, involve only a realignment from automatic 
to the approval route.  
5.13.   I would like to thank Members for commending the prowess of our IT and IT enabled services 
sector and the significant strides  made by our digital ecosystem in the last few years. I also 
acknowledge the views of Members on evolving the policy environment for growth of the digital 
economy. Here, I would like to mention that rather than pre -maturely binding themselves to 
internatio nal e-commerce rules at this nascent stage, when most issues and the potential related to 
this area are not fully understood, developing countries and LDCs need to focus on improving their 
domestic physical and digital infrastructure, and developing their policy and regulatory frameworks, 
so as to bridge the digital divide and enable the benefits of digitalisation to be equitably shared.  
5.14.   Given the importance of the subject, I must mention that India has supported and encouraged 
women's  entrepreneurship thr ough various schemes, such as MUDRA, Stand -up India, Self -Help 
Groups and Mahila -e-Haat, a direct online marketing platform, to showcase products of women 
entrepreneurs. Moreover, to enhance employability of women, India is providing training to them 
throu gh a network of Women Industrial Training institutes, National Vocational Training Institutes 
and Regional Vocational Training Institutes.  
Conclusion  
5.15.   I must state that we are humbled by the kind words of appreciation from several Members 
for India’s active  role at the WTO. I wish to reaffirm to the Membership, our deep commitment to 
the multilateral trading system and our continued positive role in the future. We noted the interest 
of some Members in India joining the Joint Statement Initiatives (JSI). I wi sh to state in this regard 
that India firmly believes that multilateral avenues, based on consensus, are the most effective 
means to achieve inclusive development -oriented outcomes. The multi -lateral process spearheaded 
by the WTO, would receive a great im petus through the credibility that prioritizing completion of 
negotiations on the already mandated issues would provide, rather than undermining this credibility 
by making new issues its overwhelming concern, before this is done. I would re -iterate that to  be WT/TPR/M/403 • India  
 
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  sustainable and fair, the approach to WTO reform must be development centric and address existing 
imbalances and asymmetries to ensure a level playing field for developing Members, including LDCs.  
5.16.   I must also, at this stage, convey my gratitude to our  LDC Members on their positive 
assessment about India’s contribution at multilateral fora as well as India's very liberal Duty -Free 
Tariff Preference Scheme.  
5.17.   In conclusion, I once again thank all Members for their interest and active participation in this  
review, from which we have gained immensely. I trust the large number of insightful questions 
posed by you is an indicator of your keen interest in strengthening trade ties with India, which we 
would wholeheartedly welcome and encourage. I hope we have be en able to satisfactorily respond 
to all your queries and observations. Should there be any further questions, we would be more than 
happy to provide written responses.  
DISCUSSANT  
5.18.   Let me, first of all, congratulate H.E. Dr Anup Wadhawan, Commerce Secretary , and his team 
for the outstan ding work done in this R eview. I commend them for their hard work in responding to 
more than 1,000 questions from 32 Members and for the specific answers that they have provided 
to the areas of main concerns.  
5.19.   As we are nearing the end of our deliberations, I would like to make a few comments drawing 
on the statements over these two days.  
5.20.   Firstly, I am pleased that we had lively exchanges and engaged debate,  and I would like to 
thank the 52  delegations that shared with us constructive interventions.  
5.21.   It is clear that as the 5 th largest economy in the world, India is one of the engine for global 
trade. And, since India is increasingly integrated into the global economy, it is a major trading 
partner for many delegations.  
5.22.   A high number of Members who took the floor proves that India’s trade and investment 
regimes have been taken very seriously by Members. It also shows the degree to which India has 
become a key Member of the multilateral trading system.  
5.23.   Secondly, Members commended India's economic growth during the review period , 
particularly in the services sector. India’s consistent effort to improve its business environment was 
highly valued. Members welcomed the streamlining of India's customs procedures and the 
implementation of trade facilitation measures, leading to a subs tantial reduction of time and costs 
of border and document compliances for exports and imports in the last few years. This progress is 
reflected in an impressive development of India’s ranking on both the Trading Across Borders and 
Ease of Doing Business i ndicators in the World Bank’s Doing Business Reports during the review 
period, positioning India as one of the economies with the most notable improvement in the world.  
5.24.   In addition, many of the delegations welcomed the introduction of the nationwide Goods and 
Services Tax in 2017 to reduce complexity in the indirect tax system. On investment, Members 
commended India's continuing effort to liberalize its investment policies including raising foreign 
ownership limits in many sectors.  
5.25.   Thirdly, concerns raised  by Members on specific issues indicate rooms for further improvement 
of India’s polices to amplify its attractiveness as a trade and investment destination. For example, 
Members encouraged India to further liberalize its agriculture sector; continue its e ndeavour to 
improve tariff structure; further promote foreign investment in banking, retail, e -commerce, 
insurance, mining and other sectors; remove complexity in import licensing procedures; updating 
its subsidy notification; align its SPS and TBT standar ds with international standards; as well as 
exercise more caution and due restraint when imposing trade remedies measures.  
5.26.   Finally, India’s active participation at the WTO has been appreciated by many Members. What 
is clear is that constructive engagement of India will be critical in upholding and strengthening the 
multilateral trading system. In this context, Members highlighted India’s contributions in various WT/TPR/M/403 • India  
 
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  discussions and negotiations. Members also acknowledged India's endeavours within this 
Organizat ion to support the interests of developing countries and LDCs.  
5.27.   In closing, allow me to thank you, Mr. Chairman, for inviting me to be a discussant in this 7th 
TPR of India. It has been a great honour and a privilege. I wish to congratulate the Indian deleg ation 
again for their active participation in this TPR. Thank you very much for your attention.  
ARGENTINA  
5.28.   We would like to associate ourselves with the Members who have welcomed the delegation of 
India. We extend our acknowledgement to India's Permanent Re presentative to this Organization 
for his work, and to the discussant, Ambassador Sunanta Kangvalkulkij of Thailand, for her valuable 
comments.  
5.29.   At the same time, we welcome the reports prepared by India and the Secretariat, which have 
enabled us to deepen our understanding of the trade policies of this distinguished Member.  
5.30.   Argentina is pleased to note that, since its last Trade Policy Review, India has achieved 
economic growth of over 7% per year. While this growth has slowed down slightly since last year,  it 
is commendable that macro variables such as exports and imports have increased over the same 
period. With regard to the export sector, there is a transition towards medium -technology exports 
with higher value added, which we are sure will help diversif y India's export pattern.  
5.31.   One area in which significant progress has been made is foreign direct investment (FDI). We 
welcome, in this regard, the fact that India has continued with its process of liberalizing investment 
in sectors such as agriculture, com munications and electronic commerce. Although there are areas 
of importance to my country that remain closed to FDI, such as agriculture, Argentina welcomes the 
efforts to provide a more friendly regulatory framework for foreign investment.  
5.32.   Similarly, we a pplaud India's adoption of a number of measures to facilitate trade. These 
include the reduction of documentation requirements and the automation of the customs clearance 
system for imports and exports.  
5.33.   However, we believe that there are some aspects of In dia's trade policy that deserve greater 
attention. The simple average of the most -favoured -nation (MFN) tariff, for example, increased 
slightly from 2014 to date. On agriculture, we note that the range of applied MFN tariffs has reached 
up to 150%, and tha t bound MFN tariffs double this figure. Similarly, while we recognize the 
importance of complying with food security objectives, we continue to pay attention to the 
implementation of all measures aimed at regulating agricultural imports and exports, as wel l as 
those linked to domestic price controls.  
5.34.   In conclusion, we would like to express our appreciation for this new opportunity to address 
India's trade practices.  
5.35.   We wish your authorities a successful conclusion to this Review.  
UNITED  STATES  
5.36.   The United St ates would like to thank the delegation of India for your presence online 
Wednesday and today, and in addition express our appreciation for the work which has gone into 
preparation for this Trade Policy Review.   We value the insights received from 
Ambassa dor Navnit, the discussant, Ambassador Sun anta, and as always, the expert contributions 
of the Secretariat.    
5.37.   We would also like to express our thanks for the constructive discussion on both days of this 
TPR and the responses provided to our previously su bmitted written questions, which are being 
reviewed in Washington.  We reiterate the priority we place on further advancing and strengthening 
our bilateral partnership with the Government of India, and also here at the WTO .  As evidenced by 
the rapid expa nsion of India’s trade with the United States and many other WTO Members, 
India’s importance and responsibility within this institution continues to increase.     WT/TPR/M/403 • India  
 
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  5.38.   Clearly , the large number of Members who participated actively in this TPR reflects the 
wides pread interest in India and its trade policies.  This is to be expected, especially for an economy 
of India’s size and growth potential.  It has struck us that this interest is also very much connected 
to some common threads of concern with regard to India ’s recent tariff increases, its high applied 
MFN rates, and a wide range of TBT and SPS measures that impact Members’ trade with India.   
5.39.   Further, there w as a common theme expressed by M embers regarding  the lack of 
transparency in many aspects of India’s t rade policy, including a disappointing performance in WTO 
notifications, and limited notice and comment procedures for domestic and foreign stakeholders.    
5.40.   In regard to  the aforementioned concerns, the United States submitted several follow -up 
questions overnight; those follow -up questions focus primarily on instances where India did not 
sufficiently respond to the questions that had been submitted.   
5.41.   For example, the Un ited States asked India to explain why it had not submitted a Table ES:1 
notification to the Committee on Agriculture in more than eight years, with its most recent 
notification covering a marketing year that is more than a decade ago.  
5.42.   India’s responses g ave no indication of why it had it not submitted the outstanding 
notifications,  nor did they indicate when all outstanding ES:1 not ifications would be submitted. We 
ask India to fulfil its transparency obligations in this area and notify future relevant me asures and 
regulations in a timely manner.  
5.43.   In addition, the United States will be carefully following the institutional and legal frameworks 
covering intellec tual property rights in India. We note again that, while India’s enforcement of IP 
has gradually improved over the years, it has been inconsistent and India remains one of the world’s 
most challenging major economies with respect to protection and enforcement of IP.  
5.44.   As a major fishing nation and significant player in WTO negotiations, we look forward to India’s 
constructive engagement in the ongoing fisheries subsidies negotiations as we work collectively 
toward a successful and meaningful conclusio n as soon as possible in 2021.  
5.45.   The United States values our bilateral relationship with India. We  look forward to close and 
continuing joint efforts to build strong bilateral economic ties, and to strengthen ongoin g cooperation 
multilaterally.    
5.46.   In closing, we would like to congratulate India’s team on a productive TPR and look forward to 
the delegati on’s increased engagement in the work of the WTO.  Please accept our best wishes for 
health and continued economic growth .  
EUROPEAN  UNION  
5.47.   On behalf of the European Union, I would like to thank India for the comprehensive overview 
presented on Wednesday of  the main trade and economic developments that have occurred during 
the review period and for the statement this morning addressing some of the issues that we raised 
on the first day.  
5.48.   The EU welcomes the useful insights that this Review has provided into I ndia’s ongoing and 
planned policies and initiatives to foster sustainable economic growth, enhance its integration in 
global supply chains and strengthen its regulatory environment.  
5.49.   We hope that the comments received from WTO Members will encourage and sup port India 
to further review and reform its trade policies, with a view to addressing the challenges and 
shortcomings that have been highlighted by many delegations.  
5.50.   In this respect, the EU would like to flag its continued concern regarding the overall dir ection 
of India’s trade and investment policies, notably regarding the extent of its trade openness, and how 
some of the measures taken under the “Make in India” initiative could run against the initiative’s 
goals.  WT/TPR/M/403 • India  
 
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  5.51.   The EU hopes to see  positive development regarding the key issues  that we have raised in 
relation to customs duties, customs procedures, SPS requirements, agricultural notifications, 
intellectual property rights and geographical indications, government procurement and, last but not 
least, domesti c standards that deviate from internationally -agreed ones.  
5.52.   We have submitted some follow -up questions on some of these and other issues and we would 
be grateful for the replies within the timelines foreseen for this exercise.  
5.53.   Additionally, the EU has rec eived conflicting signals regarding possible export restrictions by 
India on COVID -19 vaccines. This is an important subject for this Organiz ation where India itself has 
taken a leading role. Given the importance of India as a major producer of vaccines, w e count on 
India to continue to contribute to the fight against the global pandemic. We would therefore welcome 
full transparency and clarity regarding the export restrictions. We have  submitted a follow -up 
question on this issue via the Secretariat and we are looking forward to a reply in due course.  
5.54.   In conclusion, the EU would like to thank the delegation of India for undergoing this important 
transparency exercise in a virtual format and despite the challenging circumstances. It demonstrates 
India’s com mitment to the WTO, as has been  noted by several Members during this R eview. We are 
confident that our excellent cooperation will continue and will contribute to sustainable 
socio-economic recovery from the pandemic . 
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  6  CONCLUDING REMARKS BY THE CHAIRPERSON  
6.1.  The seventh Trade Policy Review of India has given us a good opportunity to gain a better 
understanding about the trade, economic, and investment policies adopted by India since its 
previous Review in 2015, and the challenges that it continues to face. The statement from the head 
of India's delegation, Mr Anup Wadhawan, Commerce Secretary, greatly facilitated our discussion. 
As did the thoughtful remarks from our discussant, Ambassador Sunanta Kangvalkulkij of Thailand. 
I would like to thank Ind ia for its active engagement in this review process, despite all the constraints 
posed by the COVID -19 pandemic. The large number of interventions made at this meeting 
(52 delegations) is an illustration of the high importance attached by Members to India' s trade and 
investment policies and practices.  
6.2.  Members commended India on its strong economic growth during the review period, 
particularly in the services sector, allowing India to become one of the world's largest economies. 
Members believed that the con tinuous economic reforms focussed on increasing efficiency and 
inclusiveness contributed to these positive developments and led to an improvement in socio -
economic indicators, such as per -capita income and life expectancy. Members expected that this 
positi ve economic performance would help to further integrate India into the global economy and 
make a larger contribution to world trade.  
6.3.  Members noted that India had adopted a comprehensive stabilization and stimulus package to 
deal with the impact of the pan demic. They encouraged India to ensure that these measures are 
designed and implemented in a transparent manner and meet legitimate policy goals without unduly 
restricting trade. In this regard, as at the time of the last Review, Members reminded India of the 
importance of providing sufficient information to guarantee transparency on the implementation of 
its regulations in order to avoid an unnecessary burden on economic operators. Members also urged 
India to submit notifications on a regular basis to the WTO, especially those related to export 
subsidies for agricultural products.  
6.4.  Members noted that India, as a founding Member of the WTO and a major trading nation, had 
benefitted from the rules -based multilateral trading system. In this context, India was u rged to play 
a constructive role in ongoing negotiations and reform efforts. Members invited India to participate 
in the new Informal Working Group on Trade and Women’s Economic Empowerment. Likewise, 
Members encouraged India to join initiatives such as th e Informal Working Group on Micro, Small 
and Medium -sized Enterprises as well as the three Joint Statement Initiatives on e -commerce, 
services domestic regulation, and investment facilitation. Regarding regional trade agreements, 
Members noted that during the review period India did not conclude any broad -based trade 
agreement and that it had withdrawn from the RCEP. Some Members urged India to finalize ongoing 
RTA negotiations and encouraged India to consider simplifying its rules of origin requirements. 
Members thanked India for providing duty free and quota free access for LDC exports.  
6.5.  Members commended India's measures to improve its business and investment environment, 
which included raising foreign equity limits in some sectors, opening up others, and facilitating 
investment procedures. Members took note of the programmes put in place to promote foreign direct 
investment and local manufacturing, and to further integrate into global supply chains such as Make 
in India, Digital India, Start -up India, Skil l India and Self -Reliant India. They welcomed these 
initiatives, while raising concerns about the possible trade restrictions they could introduce, urging 
India to be mindful of any trade implications.  
6.6.  Members welcomed India's adoption of trade facilitatio n measures resulting from the 
implementation of the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA). Nevertheless, Members noted that India’s 
trade policy had remained largely unchanged since the previous Review, with continued heavy 
reliance on instruments such as the  tariff, export taxes, minimum import prices, import and export 
restrictions, and licensing. On the tariff, concerns were expressed with respect to its complexity and 
uncertainty, the increase in tariff rates, tariff preferences, and tariff concessions. Me mbers welcomed 
the implementation of the Goods and Services Tax which replaced several indirect taxes and would 
result in increased transparency in India's taxation system. Highlighting that India was an active 
user of trade remedies, Members asked India t o take a more cautious approach in applying 
anti-dumping and safeguard measures and emphasized that all relevant investigations should be 
conducted in conformity with WTO provisions. Some Members raised concerns about India's use of 
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  6.7.  On other issues, some Members welcomed the modernization of the government procurement 
regime, but concerns were expressed regarding preferences granted to local suppliers. Members 
also n oted the role of the state in several sectors, including the existence of state trading enterprises. 
Some Members welcomed the adoption of the National IPR Policy and India's efforts to improve its 
IPR regime; however, challenges to better protect and enfo rce IPRs were also noted.  
6.8.  Concerns were expressed about the high level of government intervention in the agriculture 
sector. Members recognized the importance of the sector in supporting livelihoods and food security; 
however, they urged India to reform it s agricultural policies that continued to be based on significant 
levels of domestic and export support for key crops, including through subsidies for certain crops 
such as sugar, and to inputs. Members recognized India's efforts to liberalize this sector but believed 
that further liberalization would benefit India's consumers and producers. They also encouraged 
India to actively participate in the agricultural negotiations as well as in the fisheries negotiations.  
6.9.  Members noted that India's economic growth  has been driven by the services sector, and 
welcomed India's further openness in several sectors. Relaxation of cabotage and developments in 
digitalization were also mentioned. Given the importance of the services sector, Members considered 
that India's a ctive involvement in the ongoing WTO discussions, such as on services domestic 
regulations and e -commerce, would contribute to further India's economic development.  
6.10.   These points briefly cover the main topics addressed during this Review. Let me once again 
thank India, the discussant, and the rest of the Members for their valuable very positive and active 
contribution to our two days of discussions, which provided us with a better understanding of India's 
trade and related policies and practices and helped u s identify the achievements accomplished since 
the last Review in 2015, and the challenges that remain ahead. Members hoped that the Indian 
economy would soon return to its growth path following a stronger and more diversified integration 
into the world ec onomy.  
6.11.   India received more than 1,000 advance written questions from 32 Members, and it has 
already responded to most of them. In a month's time, Members should receive replies to questions 
that are still outstanding, which will then mark the successful co nclusion of India's seventh Review.  
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