Monday, July 1, 2013: Previously, the Solar Energy Industries Association had even gone to the Congress to speak against the so called restrictive trade policy of the Indian Government with regards to solar equipment procurement. On 27 June, the association again presented itself before the U.S. Subcommittee on Commerce. The SEIA vice president of competitiveness and trade, John Smirnow has requested Indian leaders to return to the negotiating table now and discuss the trade disputes that have been outstanding.
According to India’s policies in solar manufacturing, it is giving more priority to the domestic manufacturing sector for equipment over US companies. The reason behind this is to encourage the domestic sector and to leverage its quality and competitiveness.
Smirnow has placed before the subcommittee that India’s policy on local / domestic content requirement is discriminating and against the U.S. Solar Exports. The best way to handle this situation according to SEIA was the policy of collaboration and not litigation. India has been turning a blind eye on the events taking place in the US regarding its DCR policies.
Rhone Resch, the CEO and President of SEIA had also sent a letter to the U.S. President Barrack Obama on 7 June regarding India’s alleged discrimination. According to them, the idea to benefit the Indian business community is costing many American jobs and this needs to be settled soon.
