India blocks China's request for WTO dispute panel on solar sector support measures on May 22

Key facts

• India blocked China's first request to establish a dispute panel at the World Trade Organization (WTO) during a Dispute Settlement Body (DSB) meeting on May 22 in Geneva.
• The dispute relates to India's support measures for the information technology sector and solar cells and modules, which China claims discriminate against its goods.
• China alleged that India's measures infringe upon the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade 1994 (GATT 1994), the Agreement on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures, and the Agreement on Trade-Related Investment Measures.
• India's measures to promote domestic manufacturing in the solar sector include imposing duties on imported solar cells and modules, mandating the use of locally manufactured solar equipment in certain government-backed projects, the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM), and a production-linked incentive scheme.
• China emerged as India's largest trading partner in 2025-26 with bilateral trade reaching USD 151.1 billion and a trade deficit of USD 112.16 billion.