India’s stainless-steel sector has formally urged the Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR) to impose anti-dumping duties on low-priced imports from countries including China, Vietnam, and Indonesia. The move, spearheaded by the Indian Stainless Steel Development Association (ISSDA) along with key industry leaders such as the managing director of Jindal Stainless, aims to safeguard domestic manufacturers from mounting competitive pressures caused by underpriced foreign supplies.
Industry representatives argue that a sharp rise in such imports is not only destabilising market prices but also threatening the long-term viability of domestic production. According to stakeholders, the influx of low-cost stainless steel has placed significant strain on capacity utilisation, hindered investment in advanced manufacturing technologies, and jeopardised employment within the sector.
The petition submitted to the DGTR highlights the disparity between domestic production costs and import prices, claiming that these imports are being sold in the Indian market at rates below their normal value. This practice, industry players assert, qualifies as dumping under international trade norms and merits remedial measures in the form of protective duties.
Industry bodies also warn that without timely intervention, domestic producers could lose substantial market share, leading to a dependency on imported stainless steel for critical sectors such as infrastructure, transportation, and manufacturing. Such dependency, they stress, would undermine India’s goal of becoming self-reliant in core industrial materials.
The call for anti-dumping measures reflects a broader push by Indian industry to strengthen trade safeguards and ensure fair competition in the domestic market. Supporters of the petition maintain that the imposition of duties would not only protect local manufacturers but also promote investment, technological upgrades, and capacity expansion within the country.
