Trade barriers must be deployed with caution

India has imposed restrictions on the import of laptops, tablets and personal computers. Any entity looking to ship these e-devices in for local sale from 1 November will need the state's nod. This will impact foreign brands selling here, as the bulk of this hardware is imported, mostly from China. Even though the Centre denies a Licence Raj redux, the move is protectionist, signifying an increase in its power over the market. Its primary aim is to boost the domestic manufacturing of these items with budgetary support—incentives were recently upped—behind an import barrier. Such a policy push for 'Make in…