Report by the Secretariat (WT/TPR/S/249 01), Page xi, paragraph 15
15. Imports may also be subject to non tariff barriers including prohibitions, licences, and restrictions, as well as packaging, quality, and sanitary requirements. Import restrictions may be imposed on grounds of, inter alia, health, safety, moral and security reasons, and for self sufficiency and balance of payments reasons. …
Could India please elaborate on the reasons behind the imposition of local content requirements for local sales of solar product in India and mandatory use of domestic solar and cells modules in solar projects?
Reply: The Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission (JNNSM) envisages a target of 20 000 mw solar energy and stipulates implementation and achievement of the targets in three phases – first phase up to 2012 13, second phase 2013 17 and the third phase from 2017 22. The Mission provides immense opportunity for investments, both domestic and foreign. The broader goal is to promote ecologically sustainable growth while addressing India's energy security challenge. It will also constitute a major contribution by India to the global effort to meet the challenges of climate change.