INDIA – TARIFF TREATMENT ON CERTAIN GOODS IN THE INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY SECTOR

Joint Request by the Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu,
Kinmen and Matsu and India for a Decision by the DSB

The following communication, dated 15 April 2024, from the delegation of the Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu and the delegation of India to the Chairperson of the Dispute Settlement Body (DSB), is circulated at the request of those delegations.

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The Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu and India would like to request that the Dispute Settlement Body (DSB) adopt the draft decision attached to this letter with respect to the dispute India — Tariff Treatment on Certain Goods in the Information and Communications Technology Sector (DS588) at a meeting of the DSB to be held on 26 April 2024. We consider that the draft DSB decision, if adopted, would facilitate the resolution of the dispute.

We respectfully request that you circulate this request to Members of the DSB.

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Draft decision of the DSB:

The DSB decides that, upon a request by the Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu or India, the DSB shall no later than 26 July 2024 adopt the report of the panel in the dispute India — Tariff Treatment on Certain Goods in the Information and Communications Technology Sector (DS588) unless (i) the DSB decides by consensus not to do so or (ii) either party to the dispute notifies the DSB of its decision to appeal pursuant to Article 16.4 of the Understanding on Rules and Procedures Governing the Settlement of Disputes. Any such adoption or appeal of the panel report will be deemed to have occurred within the 60-day time period specified in Article 16.4 of the DSU.