India Initiates WTO Consultations on Indonesia’s Proposed Duty on Cotton Fabric

India on Monday sought consultations with Indonesia under the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) safeguard agreement regarding Jakarta’s proposal to impose import duties on cotton fabric, The Economic Times reported.

New Delhi informed the WTO that it has a substantial trade interest in the export of this fabric.

“India would like to propose that the consultations mentioned above take place virtually between 23 and 26 September 2025, or on a mutually convenient date and time,” India told the multilateral trade watchdog.

The Committee on Safeguards circulated a notification dated 16 September 2025 by Indonesia concerning a finding of serious injury, or threat thereof, to domestic industries producing cotton fabric, along with a proposed safeguard measure in the form of a specific duty against imports of these goods.

India exported cotton fabrics worth USD 8.73 million in 2024, up from USD 6.73 million in 2023.