US lawmakers seek probe into 'unfair' India trade practices

A group of top American lawmakers has asked the International Trade Commission (ITC) to conduct an investigation into India's alleged unfair trade practices that discriminate against US exports and investment.

In a letter, the House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Dave Camp and Ranking Member Sander Levin along with Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ron Wyden and Ranking Member Orrin Hatch, have asked the ITC to deliver a report to Congress on September 24, 2015.

Another ITC investigation into India is already underway, which was requested by the same lawmakers in August 2013.

The report from the first request is scheduled to be delivered to Congress on December 15 this year.

"Given the recent national elections in India and the formation of a new Bharatiya Janata Party-led government, and our interest in receiving the most comprehensive and up-to-date information possible, we now request...that the Commission conduct a second investigation concerning India's industrial policies that discriminate against US trade and investment since the first ITC investigation," the lawmakers said in their letter.

"In particular, we request that you include information about any significant changes by the new Indian government to the trade and investment policies identified in the ITC's first report. The investigation should also include any new relevant trade and investment policies and practices, focusing on the period from mid-2014," the letter said.

"We expect that this new investigation will allow the Commission to meet with relevant Indian government officials in the new Bharatiya Janata Party-led government and seek additional information from US firms on any developments in India relevant to the scope of matters identified in our original August 2013 request," the lawmakers said.