Task force will identify items, policy interventions to reduce India’s import dependence

31 Jul 2018 Evaluate

In view to reduce India’s import dependence, the government stated that a task force has been set up to identify various items and policy interventions. The country’s imports increased to $465.5 billion in 2017-18 from $384.3 billion in the previous fiscal. Minister of State for Commerce and Industry C R Chaudhary has said that the terms of reference of the task force include identification of products for import substitution, assessment of domestic manufacturing capacity and identification of constraints in expanding production.

Chaudhary noted that some countries including Saudi Arabia and Kuwait have imposed ban on import of certain agricultural products. Saudi Arabia imposed ban on imports chilled and frozen shrimps, and cultured fish since December 2016 and February this year respectively. Similarly, Kuwait has banned imports of frozen shrimp from India since January 2017. Thailand has imposed temporary suspension in view of the reported occurrence of Infectious Myonecrosis Virus (IMNV) disease, while Mexico’s ban on grounds of detection of larva of Trogodermagranarium (Khapra beetle) in Indian Chilli.

The Minister also said it is not feasible to quantify the losses suffered by the farmers due to such bans as alternative avenues for disposal of the produce, both domestic and international, are always available. He said ‘The government takes all possible steps to get the bans on import of Indian agricultural products lifted at the earliest. The matter is taken up with the relevant authorities in the respective countries through Indian Embassies. Corrective action, if required, is taken to eliminate the cause of ban.’

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