India to 'expedite' relief on quality norms sought by US, EU

Amid flaring trade wars that have heightened the urgency for trade diversification globally, India has hinted at greater flexibility in accommodating trade concerns—such as quality control orders (QCOs)—raised by Western partners including the US, UK, EU, and New Zealand, all of whom are negotiating a trade deal with India.

- AGGAM WALIA & RAVI DUTTA MISHRA

The Indian Express has learned. This comes after the conclusion of initial talks between India and the US when officials from the US were here in March to finalize the scope of the trade agreement. The US had then sought a range of commitments from the Indian side to ease market access for American goods into India.

In its report on foreign trade barriers, the United States Trade Representative (USTR) had particularly pointed out flaws in QCOs stating that the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) norms are "not always fully aligned with international standards" and "without a clear demonstration that the international standards would be ineffective or inappropriate".