Walmart Halts India-Specific Lobbying In U.S.

The matters related to FDI rules in India have figured among the "specific lobbying issues" for the company since at least 2008. It could not be ascertained whether Walmart has permanently stopped lobbying on India-related issues, or it is only a temporary halt.

Walmart and many other overseas supermarket chains have been wanting to set shop for many years in India, which opened up this business for foreign players last year with a 51 per cent equity cap despite stiff political opposition.

Still, there are many restrictions, such as those on sourcing of products that are keeping foreign multi-brand retailers away from the country.

While Walmart and other foreign retailers continue to seek further easing of rules in India to help them set up their businesses, the government is preparing a report for Parliament on its Walmart lobbying probe.

The one-man probe panel could not satisfactorily conclude its inquiry as it could not get necessary details on various issues, including the exact amount of money spent on India-specific lobbying issues.

The probe was ordered last December after it came to light that Walmart had been spending millions of dollars on its lobbying activities in the U.S. for years on various issues, including access to the Indian market and the relevant regulations.

As the probe was on, Walmart continued to lobby on India-specific issues, among others, till the January-March quarter of this year, but has surprisingly halted the same now.

Without specifically mentioning the name of India or any other country in its latest quarter lobby disclosure report, the company has listed only generic matters like "discussions regarding investments overseas" and "discussions regarding transatlantic trade and investment partnership".

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