DGTR Plays Key Role in Protecting Domestic Industry Within WTO Framework: Additional Secretary & Director General Trade Remedies Shri Amitabh Kumar

DGTR’s Trade Defence Wing Strengthens Protection of Indian Exporters in Global Markets

DGTR Initiatives Simplify Access to Trade Remedy Mechanisms for MSMEs and Fragmented Industries

The Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR), Department of Commerce, organised a media briefing on the theme “Trade Remedy Measures: Creating a Level Playing Field for Indian Industry” at its headquarters in New Delhi today. The briefing was held as part of the Department of Commerce’s media outreach initiative to highlight key institutional achievements, reforms and policy initiatives.

Addressing the media Additional Secretary and Director General Trade Remedies (AS&DG), Shri Amitabh Kumar highlighted DGTR’s role as India’s integrated trade remedy authority under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. He stated that DGTR conducts anti-dumping, anti-subsidy and safeguard investigations and recommends appropriate measures to the Government in accordance with domestic laws and India’s obligations under the World Trade Organization (WTO) framework.

The AS&DG emphasised that trade remedy measures are instruments of fair trade and not import restrictions. These measures are employed to address dumped imports, subsidised imports and sudden surges in imports that cause injury to domestic industry. He noted that DGTR’s objective is to restore fair competition and ensure a level playing field for Indian producers while allowing legitimate imports to continue at fair prices.

Highlighting DGTR’s transparent and evidence-based investigation process, Shri Kumar explained that investigations involve examination of applications, initiation of proceedings, analysis of questionnaire responses, verification of information, oral hearings, disclosure of essential facts and issuance of final findings. He noted that all interested parties, including domestic producers, exporters, importers, user industries and other stakeholders, are provided adequate opportunity to participate and submit evidence during the course of investigations.

The AS&DG also underlined DGTR’s balanced approach in trade remedy proceedings. He stated that the interests of user industries, downstream sectors and consumers are duly considered through stakeholder consultations, economic interest assessments and examination of the likely impact of duties. DGTR follows the Lesser Duty Rule, under which duties are recommended only to the extent necessary to remove injury to the domestic industry.

A key achievement highlighted during the briefing was the work of DGTR’s Trade Defence Wing, established in 2016 to assist Indian exporters facing anti-dumping, countervailing duty and safeguard investigations in foreign jurisdictions. The Wing serves as a nodal platform for coordination among administrative Ministries, State Governments, Indian Missions abroad, Export Promotion Councils, Commodity Boards, exporters and legal counsels to safeguard India’s trade interests in overseas trade remedy proceedings.

Shri Kumar also highlighted several recent reforms undertaken by DGTR. The System for Ensuring Fair Trade through Unified Digital Platform (SETU), launched on 24 October 2025, has enabled end-to-end digital processing of trade remedy cases through online filing, structured submissions, digital communication and secure document management. The platform provides a single-window digital interface for domestic producers, exporters, importers and foreign governments.

Other initiatives highlighted during the briefing included the Economic Interest Questionnaire, the Helpdesk and Facilitation Centre, the Trade Remedies Advisory Cell (TRAC), outreach programmes and simplified application formats for fragmented industries. The AS&DG noted that the simplified application format introduced through Trade Notice No. 09/2021 dated 29 July 2021 has significantly reduced procedural challenges faced by fragmented domestic producers and MSMEs in accessing trade remedy mechanisms.

Concluding the briefing, Shri Kumar reiterated that trade remedy measures play an important role in addressing unfair trade practices, strengthening domestic manufacturing and supporting a rules-based international trading system. He affirmed DGTR’s continued commitment to transparent investigations, stakeholder participation, digital transformation and effective trade defence support for Indian industry and exporters.

Trade remedy measures and fair trade: DGTR's evidence-based investigations and digital reforms strengthen market access and industry protection. Trade remedy measures are described as instruments of fair trade used to address dumped imports, subsidised imports and sudden import surges that injure domestic industry, while preserving legitimate imports at fair prices. The Directorate General of Trade Remedies is stated to function as India's integrated trade remedy authority, conducting anti-dumping, anti-subsidy and safeguard investigations and recommending measures in accordance with domestic law and World Trade Organization obligations. The investigation framework is presented as transparent and evidence-based, involving application scrutiny, initiation, questionnaire-based inquiry, verification, oral hearings, disclosure of essential facts and final findings, with participation opportunities for domestic producers, exporters, importers, user industries and other stakeholders.