India not participating in plurilateral discussions on e-commerce at WTO

At the World Trade Organisation (WTO), India is not participating in the plurilateral discussions under the Joint Statement Initiative (JSI) on e-commerce, Rajya Sabha was informed. “Our view is that JSI runs contrary to the exploratory and non- negotiating mandate of the ‘Work Programme on E-Commerce’,” Hardeep Singh Puri, minister of state for commerce and industry said.

Puri said the issue of the Moratorium on duties on electronic transmissions is a key aspect of the e-commerce discussion. In March 2020, at the WTO, India and Africa had tabled a joint submission which brings out developing country concerns in this regard, including on retention of policy space for digital advancement.