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India 'screwed up': How the U.S. lobbied New Delhi to reverse laptop rules

Economic Times · 8m

India recently reversed a policy requiring licenses for all imported laptops and tablets after lobbying efforts by U.S. officials. The policy change initially raised concerns about potential disruptions to sales and compliance with World Trade Organization (WTO) obligations. The U.S. government expressed alarm over the sudden announcement and its impact on bilateral trade. Although India maintains that it acts in the interest of all stakeholders, such abrupt policy changes have often created uncertainty for foreign businesses. The U.S. sought to persuade India to rescind the requirement, with U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai expressing concerns and emphasizing the negative impact on business climate. While India rolled back the policy within weeks, the U.S. continues to monitor India's scrutiny of imported devices to ensure compliance.