Beijing has expressed its concern to Indian authorities over the ban imposed on import of Chinese toys by New Delhi, Parliament was informed today.
"Ambassador of People's Republic of China to India has expressed the concern of their government regarding the ban on import of Chinese toys...," Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Jairam Ramesh said in a written reply in Rajya Sabha to a question if China has threatened to drag India to the WTO over the ban.
State-owned China Daily had reported that Beijing was likely to drag India to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) challenging the ban by New Delhi has imposed on Chinese toys.
However, the Commerce and Industry Minister Kamal Nath had said the ban was imposed on grounds of public safety and is compliant with the rules of the multi-lateral body.
India had banned import of Chinese toys on January 23 for six months. Customs authorities have also been alerted to ensure that these toys do not enter the Indian ports through a third country route.
The Indian toy market is estimated at Rs 2,500 crore, while the volume-driven price competitive Chinese toys are estimated to control 70 per cent of the global toys space.