(a) whether several members of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) have come together in an attempt to break impasse over resolving disputes as the United States has blocked the appointment of new members to hear cases in the Dispute Settlement Body;
(b) if so, the details of cases from India which are under the Dispute Settlement Body of the WTO; and
(c) the details of efforts/steps made by the Government to get those issues resolved?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
(SHRI C. R. CHAUDHARY)
(a) Yes, Madam. United States has been blocking the appointment of members of the WTO Appellate Body on some systemic and procedural issues. About 1/4th of the 164 WTO members, including India, have expressed concerns on the matter at every relevant WTO meeting. Further, India along with EU and 12 other countries have submitted a communication to the WTO General Council for addressing the issues raised by United States on functioning and operations of Dispute Settlement Body, including appointment of Appellate Body members.
(b)&(c) India has 7 disputes at WTO which are at different stages of settlement (details in Annex I). With the help of experienced Law Firms India is defending its interest in these disputes.
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Annexure I
India’s disputes in WTO
i) DS430 - Import of poultry and poultry products from United States, Complainant: India,
ii) DS436 - Countervailing duty by United States on Indian steel products, Complainant: India,
iii) DS456 - National Solar Mission dispute with United States, Complainant: United States,
iv) DS510 - United States’ Sub-Federal Renewable energy programme, Complainant: India,
v) DS518 - India-certain Measures on imports of iron and steel products from Japan, Complainant: Japan,
vi) DS541 - Export Subsidies measures of India, Complainant: United States,
vii) DS-547 - United States-Certain measures of Unites States on steel and aluminium products, Complainant: India.
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