New Delhi, Jan. 20 -- China has escalated its trade challenge against India at the World Trade Organization (WTO), seeking the establishment of a dispute settlement panel over New Delhi's production-linked incentive (PLI) schemes for automobiles, batteries and electric vehicles, arguing that they discriminate against imported goods by tying incentives to domestic value addition.

In a communication circulated by the WTO on 16 January, Beijing said that consultations held with India in November 2025 and January 2026 failed to resolve its concerns, prompting it to formally request a panel under WTO dispute settlement rules. The request is expected to be taken up at the next meeting of the WTO's Dispute Settlement Body on 27 January.

The ca...