India's restrictions on imports 'bit intense': EU

According to the EU, India's restrictions on imports following the global economic crisis have been an bit intense and need to be reviewed.

The 42 trade restriction actions India initiated to check imports to protect domestic industry, the highest by any country included 21 measures against the EU.

"We have to say this is a bit intense. We will discuss it with our Indian colleagues," said Stefaan Depypere, director, European trade defence services at a seminar on anti-dumping , anti-subsidy and safeguards practices of the EU organised by Ficci on yesterday.

According to data compiled by the EU, the US initiated 34 actions, which was followed by Argentina (27), the EU (21) and China (20). Anti-dumping, countervailing and safeguard actions are included under trade defence instruments.

Under all three actions, import duties for particular products are temporarily hiked by governments when the products are sought to be sold at prices lower than the prices in home markets of exporting countries.

According to Depypere trade defence instruments need to be more transparent to ensure that rights of defence of interested parties were protected, with proper and timely disclosures and affected parties were given given opportunities to comment.