THE European Union (EU) today (2) has moved the World Trade Organisation (WTO) against India’s import duties on information and communication technology (ICT) products.
The EU is challenging the introduction of import duties imposed by India on a wide range of ICT products, such as mobile phones and components, base stations, integrated circuits, and optical instruments.
India has been applying duties ranging from 7.5 per cent to 20 per cent despite its earlier legally binding commitment in the WTO not to charge any duties on these products, the EU said in a statement.
EU commissioner for trade Cecilia Malmstrom said: "…India must abide by its own commitment to allow duty free trade in ICT products. Technological innovation keeps our companies competitive in the global market and supports hundreds of thousands of high value jobs across Europe..."
These import duties are therefore in clear breach by India of WTO rules. The levies affect EU exports worth £515 million a year, the EU added.
