The government has drafted a proposal to relax foreign investment rules, allowing e-commerce firms such as Amazon to buy products directly from Indian sellers and sell them to customers abroad, according to a report by news agency Reuters.
Currently, foreign e-commerce companies in India are not allowed to sell goods directly to consumers, either domestically or internationally. They can only operate as marketplaces connecting buyers and sellers for a fee.
The restriction has been a contentious issue between New Delhi and Washington for years. Amazon has reportedly been lobbying the Indian government to ease the rules specifically for exports.
The proposed changes arrive amid ongoing talks between India and the US over a long-delayed trade deal. At the same time, many groups representing millions of small Indian retailers have urged the government to reject Amazon’s request, arguing that the company’s financial strength could threaten their businesses, Reuters reported.
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