India pushes for evidence-based approach to forced labour trade curbs

India's Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal has advocated for a measured, evidence-based approach to addressing forced labour in global supply chains, cautioning against sweeping trade restrictions that lack substantiation. Speaking at a G20 meeting, Goyal emphasized the need for member nations to ground any trade curbs targeting forced-labour produced goods in concrete evidence rather than generalized concerns. The position reflects New Delhi's push to balance labour rights concerns with the interests of developing economies and their exporters. Goyal stressed that any measures undertaken by G20 members should conform to World Trade Organization frameworks and principles. India's stance suggests concern that unsubstantiated trade restrictions could disproportionately affect developing nations and their workers, even as it acknowledges the serious nature of forced labour practices in some global supply chains.