India, the second-largest producer of crude steel globally, remained a net importer of steel during the fiscal year ending in March 2024, and this trend continued from April to July. China was the leading exporter of steel to India during this period, followed by Japan and South Korea.

The rise in imports has exerted downward pressure on local steel prices, which have dropped to their lowest point in more than three years, according to data from commodities consultancy BigMint. Earlier in the month, Kumaraswamy had mentioned that his ministry would attempt to persuade the finance ministry to increase tariffs on steel imports, aiming to protect domestic manufacturers from the influx of cheaper imports, particularly from countries like China.

In August, India launched an anti-dumping investigation into certain steel products imported from Vietnam. This decision came in response to concerns raised by major Indian steelmakers, including JSW Steel and ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel.