Shillong, August 20: Prominent tech giants and industry associations, including Apple and Intel, have jointly written a letter to the US Department of Commerce to voice their opposition against India’s recent regulations on imports of PCs, laptops, and servers.
As per IANS, the industry leaders highlighted that these restrictions could significantly disrupt trade, hinder efforts to integrate India into global supply chains, and have negative impacts on businesses and consumers in both countries.
Eight major American trade groups, including the Information Technology Industry Council, the National Association of Manufacturers, and the Semiconductor Industry Association, collectively urged the US government to encourage India to reconsider its policy. They emphasized that any barriers to trade could impede the flow of US-manufactured computers and electronics into India.
According to the directive issued by India’s Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), effective from November 1, 2023, a valid license is required for the import clearance of restricted goods.
While the government clarified that the intent is not to ban imports but to foster domestic manufacturing and exports, leading consumer electronics companies such as HP, Apple, and Dell have requested an extension of the November 1 deadline for obtaining licenses. They expressed the need for additional time to establish manufacturing units in accordance with the new guidelines.
In discussions with officials from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), these tech companies, along with industry associations like the Manufacturing Association of IT Hardware (MAIT) and the India Cellular and Electronics Association (ICEA), conveyed their requirement for more time to set up manufacturing operations in India.
As of November 1, importing laptops, computers, and related items without a license will not be permissible. The government’s rationale for these restrictions is grounded in security concerns and the promotion of the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ (Self-reliant India) initiative.