India has joined a 15-economy initiative led by the United States to tackle structural excess manufacturing capacity. The group signed a joint ministerial statement on October 7.The signatories include Argentina, Australia, Canada, the EU, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Mexico, Poland, Turkiye, the UK and the US. The statement was released by the US Trade Representative’s office after G20 trade minister talks in Milwaukee.The group called for steps to end non-market policies and practices that distort markets.

It focused on sectors including automobiles, electric vehicles, batteries, chemicals, semiconductors and solar panels. Dedicated sectoral platforms will share information and coordinate action.India joins at a sensitive time. Washington is separately examining India’s manufacturing policies under a US Section 301 investigation into the same issue.

Experts say New Delhi must balance cooperation with its own manufacturing ambitions.India has maintained that its manufacturing capacity is geared to meet both domestic and global demand. The statement announced no new tariffs or quotas for now.