The US, Brazil and Pakistan have initiated anti-dumping measures against India, which has been fighting its own battle against low-priced products flooding domestic markets.

- Dhirendra Kumar

Trade experts suggest some of these measures may be strategic, signaling a growing wave of trade defense actions against India and aimed at influencing New Delhi's trade negotiations with key partners.

Pakistan's anti-dumping charges against India are particularly baffling, as the two dueling neighbors have banned any trade between them.

Yet, Pakistan has initiated an anti-dumping investigation against India over exports of sulfonic acid, which is used in manufacturing detergents, dyes, and catalysts, according to a World Trade Organization report released late on Thursday (12 June).

The WTO document details preliminary and final anti-dumping measures undertaken by 11 members of the trade body, including major economies such as the US, Brazil, Pakistan, Indonesia, and the UK, against various countries. The report is based on notices submitted in May under Article 16.4 of the WTO Anti-Dumping Agreement.

"Such measures reflect the growing wave of trade protectionism aimed at shielding domestic industries," said Abhash Kumar, a trade economist and assistant professor of economics at Delhi University, referring to the anti-dumping charges against India. "The repeated targeting of Indian products highlights the need for India to adopt a more proactive trade defense strategy."

The commerce ministry didn't immediately reply to Mint's queries on the development.

India and the US concluded a fifth round of face-to-face talks on 10 June on streamlining tariffs and reducing nontariff barriers towards finalising a landmark bilateral trade agreemen