India looks to increase barriers on imports from South-east Asia via China

In a photo taken on March 16, 2012, a mobile crane prepares to stack a container at a port in the southern Indian city of Chennai. - Reuters

NEW DELHI (Reuters): New Delhi is considering measures to prevent trade partners mainly in South-east Asia from re-routing Chinese goods to India with little added value, two government sources said, amid strained ties with Beijing and a push for self-reliance.

India is planning to raise quality standards of imports, impose quantity restrictions, mandate stringent disclosure norms and initiate more frequent checks at ports of entry for goods coming from many Asian countries, the officials said, declining to be named as they were not authorised to talk to the media.