The Indian government released a statement this week saying that the proposed merger between Dow Chemical and DuPont is likely to hurt competition.
The statement included comments from the country’s fair trade regulator, the Competition Commission of India (CCI).
“The (CCI) is of the prima facie opinion that the proposed combination between Dow Chemical Company and E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company is likely to have an appreciable adverse effect on competition," the statement said.
According to a report in The Economic Times the CCI has invited the public to comment on the merger in an attempt to add more scrutiny to the deal — a rare move for the agency.
The CCI is reportedly most concerned about the impact of the merger — which would create the world’s largest chemical company — on the market for agrochemicals, seeds and material sciences.
The merger is currently undergoing regulatory review in the European Union. Reuters reported last month that sources close to the negotiations believe the $130 billion merger will gain approval in the EU.