India Bans Imports of Goods Made with Forced Labour
The Indian government has banned the import of goods produced wholly or partly through forced labour. This decision, approved by Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal, will be incorporated into the Foreign Trade Policy after 30 days. The move responds to concerns raised by the United States during a Section 301 investigation, which could lead to an additional 12.5% tariff on Indian exports. The Directorate General of Foreign Trade will conduct inquiries into the use of forced labour in production processes. The USTR's investigation, initiated on March 12, covers 60 countries, including India, and aims to address the absence of an explicit prohibition on such imports. India has consistently denied allegations of forced labour practices and maintains that it is addressing the issue through ongoing trade negotiations with the US.
Published 13 hours ago • 15 Jul 2026, 08:26 AM IST