New Delhi, July 15 -- India has prohibited the import of goods produced using forced labour, tightening its trade framework amid rising global scrutiny.

The move follows an amendment to the Foreign Trade Policy by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, empowering authorities to restrict the entry of such goods into the country.

A notification issued by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) on July 13 stated that imports of goods manufactured wholly or partly through forced labour are now banned. The new rule will come into effect after 30 days.

Alignment with Global Standards

The government has adopted the definition of forced labour under the International Labour Organization (ILO) Forced Labour Convention, which describes ...