China requests WTO consultations with India over subsidies on electric vehicles, batteries

BEIJING, Oct. 15 (Xinhua) -- China on Wednesday requested consultations with India at the World Trade Organization (WTO) regarding India's subsidy measures in the electric vehicle and battery sectors, according to the Ministry of Commerce.

The relevant measures by India are alleged to violate several WTO obligations, including the principle of national treatment, and constitute import substitution subsidies, which are explicitly prohibited under WTO rules, a spokesperson for the ministry said in a statement.

These measures unfairly benefit India's domestic industries and undermine China's legitimate interests, the spokesperson said, noting that China will take resolute measures to effectively safeguard the lawful rights and interests of its domestic industries.

Over a period of time, a number of India's trade and economic measures have been alleged to be non-compliant with WTO rules, sparking widespread concern among WTO members, the spokesperson said, urging India to abide by its WTO commitments and immediately correct its wrong practices.