India's High-Tech Export Controls: DGFT Sarangi on Transparency

New Delhi, Jan 16 (PTI) The country's regulatory system is ensuring a robust and transparent process for exports of high-tech goods, a senior official said on Thursday.

Director General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) Santosh Kumar Sarangi said that IT-enabled processes, seamless licensing, and industry outreach will drive these exports while maintaining strong regulatory oversight.

Speaking at the National Conference on Strategic Trade Controls (NCSTC) 2025 at Bengaluru, Sarangi "emphasized the importance of India's export control system in ensuring a robust, transparent process for high-tech exports".

As part of the country's strategic trade control system and in consonance with the provisions of international conventions, India regulates the exports of dual-use items, nuclear-related products, and military goods, including software and technology under the list.

This list is notified by the DGFT under the Foreign Trade Policy.

According to an official statement, the conference focuses on underscoring the importance of effective strategic trade controls, showcasing India's legal and regulatory system in this context, and exchanging best practices and relevant information on strategic trade controls, towards preventing the proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) and their delivery systems.

Further, it will facilitate dialogue between government authorities and industry stakeholders, assessing and mitigating emerging risks associated with the export of these sensitive goods and technologies.

The export of dual-use SCOMET (Special chemicals, organisms, materials, equipment and technologies ) items has seen substantial growth in the last few years with the value of the authorisations issued doubling in 2024 compared to 2023.

Under SCOMET, authorisations valued at USD 2.8 billion have been issued by the DGFT as compared to USD 1.4 billion issued in 2023.