Tag: India

US approaches WTO against India’s additional duty measures

ISLAMABAD: The United States has approached the World Trade Organization (WTO) for dispute consultations regarding additional duties imposed by India on various imported goods from the US.

A statement issued by the WTO said that the US had requested WTO dispute consultations with India concerning additional duties applied by India on certain imports of US goods.

The request was circulated to WTO members on July 04.

The United States claims that the additional duties, which India imposed through a series of notifications issued between June 2018 and June 2019, are inconsistent with provisions of the WTO’s General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT 1994) by unfairly discriminating against US imports vis-à-vis those from other WTO members and by according less favourable treatment to US goods than that provided for in India’s schedule of concessions.

The US authorities a day earlier submitted a request to the WTO for consultation with India with respect to India’s imposition of additional duties with respect to certain products originating in the United States.

“India does not impose the additional duties measure on like products originating in the territory of any other WTO Member,” according to the US.

India also appears to be applying rates of duty to US imports greater than the rates of duty set out in India’s schedule of concessions.

The US submitted the legal instruments through which India imposes the additional duties measure include the following:

Government of India, Ministry of Finance, Department of Revenue, Notification No. 48/2018 – Customs, June 20, 2018;

Government of India, Ministry of Finance, Department of Revenue, Notification No. 49/2018 – Customs, June 20, 2018;

Government of India, Ministry of Finance, Department of Revenue, Notification No. 56/2018 – Customs, August 3, 2018;

Government of India, Ministry of Finance, Department of Revenue, Notification No. 62/2018 – Customs, September 17, 2018;

Government of India, Ministry of Finance, Department of Revenue, Notification No. 77/2018 – Customs, November 1, 2018;

Government of India, Ministry of Finance, Department of Revenue, Notification No. 80/2018 – Customs, December 15, 2018;

Government of India, Ministry of Finance, Department of Revenue, Notification No. 03/2019 – Customs, January 29, 2019;

Government of India, Ministry of Finance, Department of Revenue, Notification No. 06/2019 – Customs, February 26, 2019;

Government of India, Ministry of Finance, Department of Revenue, Notification No. 11/2019 – Customs, March 29, 2019;

Government of India, Ministry of Finance, Department of Revenue, Notification No. 14/2019 – Customs, May 1, 2019;

Government of India, Ministry of Finance, Department of Revenue, Notification No. 15/2019 – Customs, May 14, 2019;

Government of India, Ministry of Finance, Department of Revenue, Notification No. 16/2019 – Customs, June 15, 2019;

Government of India, Ministry of Finance, Department of Revenue, Notification No. 17/2019 – Customs, June 15, 2019;

as well as any amendments, replacements, related measures or implementing measures.

The additional duties measure appears to be inconsistent with: Article I:1 of the GATT 1994, because India fails to extend to products of the United States an advantage, favor, privilege or immunity granted by India with respect to customs duties and charges of any kind imposed on or in connection with the importation of products originating in the territory of other Members, and Article II:1(a) and (b) of the GATT 1994, because India accords less favorable treatment to products originating in the United States than that provided for in India’s schedule of concessions.

The additional duties measure appears to nullify or impair the benefits accruing to the United States directly or indirectly under the GATT 1994.

July 4, 2019
Business community applauds Pakistan response to India

KARACHI: The business community has applauded the professional approach of Pakistan air force for downing two India jets, which intruding into Pakistani soil.

Dr. Mirza Ikhtiar Baig, Acting President of Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI), business community leaders S.M. Muneer, Iftikhar Ali Malik, Zubair Tufail, Shaikh Khalid Tawab, have vehemently condemned the act of aggression by Indian air force by violating Pakistan Air space and targeting civilians inside Pakistan.

They said that the Modi’s government is in hysteric state due to their anticipated defeat and they want to create an atmosphere where they can exploit the sentiments of their voters against Pakistan.

The business community is behind our brave armed forces and expresses its full solidarity with them. Pakistan Armed forces are among the top Professional forces in the world and not only they can defend the motherland but resoundingly respond to the enemy.

Dr. Baig said that Pakistan is a nuclear state now and any misadventure by India will have catastrophic consequences for them.

Pakistan has acted with responsibility so far and Prime Minister has shown maturity by offering all options to India.

Pakistan’s stance has earned support worldwide and no one has seriously taken Indian allegations against Pakistan for Pulwama incident.

The incident was purely indigenous and reaction to Indian barbaric brutality against Kashmiri people.

The business community congratulates the Pakistan Air force for downing the tow Indian jets. They said, India must have leant lesson from this response and will think several times before going any further.

Dr. Baig also lauded the efforts of the Foreign Ministry for engaging the world on this crucial issues and effectively projecting Pakistan stance.

February 27, 2019
Pakistan to strongly respond Indian aggression, NSC decides

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Tuesday decided to strongly respond to Indian aggression, which violated the airspace.

In this regard a special meeting of the National Security Committee was held. The committee strongly rejected Indian claim of targeting an alleged terrorist camp near Balakot and said India has committed an “uncalled for aggression to which Pakistan shall respond at the time and place of its choosing.”

The meeting chaired by Prime Minister Imran Khan here at the PM office, was attended by Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Defence, Finance, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, COAS, CNS, CAS and other civil and military officials.

The Prime Minister also summoned a special meeting of the National Command Authority on Wednesday – February 27.

Prime Minister Imran Khan directed that elements of national power including the Armed Forces and the people of Pakistan to remain prepared for all eventualities.

The meeting “strongly rejected Indian claim of targeting an alleged terrorist camp near Balakot and the claim of heavy casualties,” a statement from the PM House said.

“Once again Indian government has resorted to a self-serving, reckless and fictitious claim. This action has been done for domestic consumption, being in election environment, putting regional peace and stability at grave risk.”

The security forum said India has committed uncalled for aggression to which Pakistan shall respond at the time and place of its choosing.

The National Security Committee said the claimed area of strike was open for the world to see the facts on ground and agreed that the domestic and international media be taken to the impact site. The government also decided to requisition the joint session of Parliament to take all parties on board.

He also decided to engage with the global leadership to expose irresponsible Indian policy in the region.

The Prime Minister appreciated the timely and effective response of the Pakistan Air Force to repulse Indian attempt without any loss of life or property.

February 26, 2019