New Delhi, March 18 -- In an effort to mitigate potential US tariff threats and strengthen trade negotiations, the Indian government is considering easier market access for American medical device manufacturers.

The Commerce Ministry recently convened a meeting with export promotion councils to identify medical devices where tariff reductions could be implemented, possibly up to zero, according to sources familiar with the discussions.

This potential move has sparked concerns among Indian industry stakeholders. Currently, India imposes a 5-10 per cent import duty on medical devices from the US, whereas the US levies no such duty on Indian medical devices.

Industry experts worry that lowering tariffs further could hinder India's efforts...