Request for Consultations by Australia

(97-3087)
Original: English

The following communication, dated 16 July 1997, from the Permanent Mission of Australia to the Permanent Mission of India and to the Dispute Settlement Body, is circulated in accordance with Article 4.4 of the DSU.

My authorities have instructed me to request consultations with the Government of India pursuant to Article 4 of the Understanding on Rules and Procedures Governing the Settlement of Disputes, Article XXII:1 of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade 1994 (GATT 1994), Article 19 of the Agreement on Agriculture, and Article 6 of the Agreement on Import Licensing Procedures with regard to quantitative restrictions maintained by India on imports of a large number of agricultural and industrial products.

Australia considers that the quantitative restrictions maintained by India on more than 2,700 agricultural and industrial product tariff lines notified to the WTO in Annex 1, Part B of WT/BOP/N/24 dated 22 May 1997, including import prohibitions, non-automatic licensing, special import licensing and the administrative procedures applicable to these restrictions appear to be inconsistent with India’s obligations under the following:

• Articles XI:1 and XVIII:11 of the GATT 1994;
• Article 4.2 of the Agreement on Agriculture;
• Article 3 of the Agreement on Import Licensing Procedures.

 
We look forward to receiving your reply to the present request and to setting a mutually convenient date for consultations.