India, July 11 -- India has urged the United States Trade Representative (USTR) to reconsider its proposed 12.5 per cent tariff on Indian imports, arguing that the findings of its Section 301 investigation into forced labour are legally and factually flawed. New Delhi maintained that trade disputes should be resolved through bilateral negotiations rather than unilateral measures.

During a public hearing held by the USTR, Brij Mohan Mishra, Joint Secretary in the Department of Commerce, said India takes the elimination of forced labour seriously as both a constitutional obligation and an international commitment.

He contended that the USTR's report failed to meet the legal standards prescribed under Section 301(d) of the US Trade Act, ar...