The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) RA Chennai organized an outreach programme on SCOMET & Export Control Compliance and Regulations on 8 August, 2025 in Chennai, in coordination with Ministry of External Affairs, Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Finance, and EEPC Chennai to sensitize the exporters about SCOMET items for ensuring compliance related to the export of dual-use items and technologies. SCOMET items are generally used for both civilian and military purposes, including weapons of mass destruction (WMDs). DGFT manages this list and requires exporters to obtain authorization to export SCOMET items, unless specifically exempted or prohibited. The event was graced by various officials from the aforementioned ministries and organizations, and several industrial stakeholders and exporters actively participated as well.

As part of India’s Strategic Trade Control system and in consonance with relevant international conventions, mechanisms and regimes, India regulates the exports of items with dual-use, nuclear and military applications, which is notified by DGFT under the Foreign Trade Policy. The event highlighted the sensitive nature of trading in SCOMET items, with the goal of strengthening institutional and industrial compliances. The programme included a range of activities, such as interactive sessions with various authorities having technical expertise in their respective domains, such as officials from DGFT, Customs, defence production and diplomacy.

In her welcome address, Smt. Rajalakshmi Devaraj, Zonal Additional Director General of Foreign Trade, outlined the objective of the outreach programme which aims to promote a deeper understanding of India’s SCOMET policy framework, licensing procedures, and international obligations under strategic trade controls. In the context of evolving global security concerns and increasingly complex supply chains, it becomes imperative for stakeholders – both in government and industry – to engage meaningfully on issues of compliance, enforcement and awareness.

During the thematic sessions of the event, the Government officials provided detailed presentations and highlighted the various aspects of India’s dual-use exports, including the legal and regulatory framework, the steps taken to streamline the SCOMET policy and licensing processes, the enforcement mechanism and supply chain compliance programs related to the export of dual-use goods and technologies.

Ms. Muanpuii Saiawi, Joint Secretary (D&ISA), MEA, in her opening remarks, explained the rise of global value chains and expanding international capacity of dual-use SCOMET items. She focused on India’s increasingly prominent role in high-tech defence exports with the advent of government initiatives like Make in India, Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) and semiconductor schemes. She emphasized India’s commitment to non-proliferation as a responsible member of the international community, particularly through the nation’s participation with various mechanisms such as the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency), Australia Group, Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR), Biological Weapons Convention, Chemical Weapons Convention, and Wassenaar Arrangement.

Speaking on the occasion, Shri. A. Manimaran, Commissioner (Exports), Customs Chennai explained the various Customs regulations and also emphasized the changes made in the ICEGATE portal for the purpose of proactive trade facilitation efforts taken up by the government. Highlighting the Customs' commitment for improving the efficiency of clearance processes, he talked in-depth about the Compulsory Compliance Requirements (CCRs) portal and how this can help the exporters in identifying SCOMET items and avoid ambiguities.

Shri. Kuldeep Parwal, the Director (P&C) DDP representing the Ministry of Defence, spoke about the significance of strengthening defence exports, manufacturing pace and indigenization of defence production. Department of Defence Production (DDP) issues SCOMET authorizations for items covered under arms and ammunitions as per the powers delegated by DGFT. He spoke in-depth about the simplification of procedures for issue of SCOMET authorizations, and also gave a presentation on Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for export authorizations for export of munitions.

Shri. Pravin Vinod, OSD (D&ISA), MEA, made a presentation on the Strategic Trade Controls (STCs) and related mechanisms in the international and Indian systems. He emphasized the crucial significance of non-proliferation of WMDs and their delivery systems, with particular reference to the sensitivity of end users and unintended consignees, and the role of the same in preventing uncontrolled transfer of conventional arms and military items via foreign trade.

Shri. Rajesh Kumar, Additional Commissioner, DIC New Delhi, underlined the importance of obtaining the Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) certification and its role in strengthening supply chain security. Spotlighting the role of MSMEs as the backbone of Indian economy, he spoke in-depth about the benefits of AEO status for MSMEs within the context of SCOMET items, particularly in lowering trade barriers. He also provided an overview of the SAFE Framework 2005 introduced by the World Customs Organization.

The thematic sessions were concluded with a final presentation by Shri. Palani Phani Kiran, Deputy DGFT, Chennai. His presentation covered the SCOMET policy, licensing and general authorization procedures pertaining to dual-use exports from the DGFT perspective.

The last segment of the event was dedicated to panel discussions with industrial experts. Representatives from M/s Emerson Process Management Chennai Pvt. Ltd., M/s TI Anode Fabricators Pvt. Ltd., and M/s Flex, Chennai shared their experiences in dealing with export controls and SCOMET-related trade. The panel discussions were focused on India’s industrial and technological capacity in specific sectors, Industry Experience and Compliance in those sectors and the sessions witnessed sharing of experiences by the key Industry leaders and experts dealing in export of dual-use goods and technologies in these sectors.

The SCOMET policy underlines India’s Strategic Trade Controls in line with its commitments under multilateral non-proliferation export control regimes and other international conventions. Emphasizing this, the event sensitized the participants on the critical role of streamlining the policy and procedures related to India’s SCOMET exports by prioritizing the ease of understanding and compliance by the industry, so as to ensure their regulatory compliances and security considerations while facilitating trade in such domains.

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