Apple, Intel, Google, Lenovo, Dell Technologies, HP, and other global IT and electronics manufacturing giants have approached the US government to ask the Indian government to reconsider the recently imposed restriction on the import of laptops, tablets, personal computers, ultra-small form factor computers, and servers.
According to The Economic Times, the IT behemoths have asked the Joe Biden administration to “use every available forum” to persuade India to reconsider the mandate.
The Centre imposed immediate limits on the import of laptops, tablets, and PCs earlier this month. It further stated that restricted imports would be permitted with a valid permission.
Following an industry outcry, the government postponed the introduction of these limits by three months, to November 1.
According to the report, on August 15, eight US-based trade organisations, including the Consumer Technology Association, the Information Technology Industry Council, the Semiconductor Industry Association, and the United States Council for International Business, asked the US Trade Representative and the US Secretary of Commerce to use every available forum of engagement with the Indian government to ensure that its measures in the information and communications technology (ICT) sector are effective.
The approval of the licencing procedures by the Indian government, according to the trade organisations, has raised worries about India’s dependability as a trade and supply chain partner.
The corporations said that the latest restrictions jeopardised the two countries’ common goal of developing their bilateral economic partnership.
The Indian government, for its part, has supported its choice. The move, according to Rajeev Chandrasekhar, Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology, is not about imposing a licence raj, but about ensuring that the Indian tech eco-system uses only trusted components. Furthermore, India’s reliance on imports is lessened, which encourages home manufacturing.
Previously, Chandrasekhar stated in a post on X (previously Twitter) that the goal of the action was to ensure trusted hardware and systems, reduce import dependence, and enhance domestic manufacturing of this category of products.
The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has created a platform where companies/traders can apply for a licence online. If all details are filled out correctly, the DGFT should issue a licence within 3/4 days.
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