India cuts red tape in import inspections amid ongoing US trade talks

India on Wednesday announced reforms to simplify its import quality checks, a move aimed at reducing red tape and addressing concerns raised by the United States over what it has described as India’s “burdensome” import-quality requirements.

The announcement comes as New Delhi and Washington continue discussions on a proposed trade agreement, which India hopes will help secure relief from a 50% tariff imposed by US President Donald Trump on some of its key exports. The tariff was imposed as a response to India’s purchases of Russian oil.

According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, the reforms include reduced paperwork, shorter timelines and fewer inspections for quality approvals. The changes are intended to streamline the import clearance process while maintaining quality standards.

“The reforms aim to accelerate processes, reduce turnaround times, and leverage technology-driven systems to make quality assurance faster, more transparent, and more accessible for enterprises, institutions, and citizens,” said Jaxay Shah, Chairman of the Quality Council of India.

The easing of import quality checks is expected to improve ease of doing business, facilitate smoother trade flows and reduce compliance costs for importers. It also addresses long-standing concerns flagged by US trade officials regarding India’s quality control orders and certification requirements.

India’s Ambassador to the United States, Vinay Mohan Kwatra, said New Delhi remains engaged with Washington to arrive at a balanced trade arrangement at the earliest.

“On trade and tariff…we remain very constantly engaged with the United States Trade Representative (USTR) with the hope to find a mutually beneficial and a balanced trade arrangement as early as possible,” Kwatra told PTI in an exclusive interview.

He added that the broader framework for bilateral cooperation was established earlier this year. “Our effort all along, right through this whole year, the tone for the relationship was set during Prime Minister’s visit in early February. We agreed to a very, very significant and substantial outcome document across range of areas. Space was one of them,” he said.

The import reforms are seen as part of India’s wider efforts to modernise regulatory systems and align trade practices with global standards as negotiations with the United States continue.

(With inputs from agencies)