WTO’s appellate body is expected to give its ruling by mid—September in the solar mission dispute between India and the U.S. In April, India had appealed against WTO’s panel ruling that the country’s power purchase agreements with solar firms are inconsistent with international norms. “The appellate’s order is expected on September 16 or 17,” an official said. The appellate body is a standing body of seven persons. It listens to the appeals from reports issued by panels in disputes involving WTO members. The body can uphold, modify or reverse legal findings and conclusions of a panel and its reports, once adopted by the Dispute Settlement Body, must be accepted by the parties. The official said that if the body gives a ruling against India, the government would have to implement the order in 6-7 months. WTO’s dispute panel had said the Indian government’s power purchase agreements with solar firms were “inconsistent” with international norms.
