Indian steel buyers and consumers have called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi not to impose new import duties on steel products, as this could further drive up domestic steel prices.
Large mills filed a 25 percent duty on steel imports with the Directorate General of Trade Remedies earlier this year in response to additional US tariffs introduced last year.
Delhi has made steel production a key part of its Make in India campaign to triple steel production to 300 million tonnes by 2030-31.
Steel Consumers Federation of India, Steel Chamber of India, Maharastra Industry and Trade Association, Fastener Manufacturers Association, Small Industry Chamber Association and Tana Small Business Association have all appealed the additional import duties.
India currently has an import duty of 10 percent on long products and 12 percent on flat products. The country also imposes anti-dumping duties on many other steel products, including hot and cold rolled coils, rebar, wire rod and some stainless steel grades.
The association said there was no sharp increase in steel imports that could impact domestic factories, with imports accounting for only about 6 percent of total domestic production.
Indian steelmakers' profits have risen over the past three years, while imports have declined significantly over the period, and small imports are unlikely to reduce their profitability, according to a joint statement to the Prime Minister.
India's total steel production increased 3.4 percent year-on-year to 27.72 million tonnes in April-June, while imports for the quarter were down 9 percent to 1.72 million tonnes.
