High-level committee to monitor any surge of imports into India

As the trade war between the US and China intensifies, India has set up a committee to check any import surge.

Commerce Secretary Sunil Barthwal on Tuesday said, “We have identified certain countries for more intense monitoring. We are aware of the emerging trends, particularly in light of the global tariff developments. Imports are being closely tracked through the designated cell, and based on the findings, necessary action will be taken.”

He confirmed that such a committee had been set up to control an import surge into India.

Barthwal said, “We are in constant touch with our stakeholders. Commerce ministry officials are coordinating with various ministries and export promotion councils, and based on their feedback and inputs, appropriate remedial measures will be taken.”

Headed by the Commerce Secretary, the committee comprises the Director General of Foreign Trade, Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs, and Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade.

It will closely monitor any influx of agricultural products from the US and merchandise from China. These goods could be routed through third countries such as Vietnam, Indonesia and Nepal.

The commerce secretary will review the committee’s report every week and, based on its findings, necessary measures may be implemented to check the import of goods from China.

There is threat of merchandise being dumped into India due to reciprocal tariffs amid global trade tensions.

The government fears that with China, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam facing higher US imposed reciprocal tariffs than India, it could lead to an import surge into India.

The ministries and industry associations concerned have also been asked to provide inputs on the surge in imports and its impact on the domestic industry.

“The idea is to observe these imports and see if any measures need to be taken. It will look at all the data points closely, including shipments coming from the air and sea routes,” sources said.

India