India has sought WTO consultations with the EU over its ferroalloy safeguard measures — the formal first step in a trade dispute. Europe is a key destination for Indian silico manganese and ferro manganese, and the outcome will influence how much Indian material can enter the bloc on workable terms. Consultations can lead to settlement or escalate to a panel; either way, the move shows Delhi treating alloy market access as worth defending, which exporters across the Raipur and Vizag corridors will welcome.