New Delhi, Sep 10 (IANS): The Indian government will take steps to prevent dumping by China at an appropriate time, union Commerce Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on Wednesday.

"We are closely monitoring the situation and will take necessary steps to check dumping from China at an appropriate time," she told reporters on the sidelines of at "The Economist" magazine's annual conference here.

On goods and services tax (GST), she sought the support from the main opposition Congress, saying "the age-old party should extend its support for passage of the bill".

Sitharaman said the central government under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has already taken many decisions to push reforms, but there existed some "practical problems" which were creating hurdles.

She also said the government wanted free trade, but clarified that it would not be at the cost of India's interests.

The minister also said that global service conclave would be held every year to promote the service sector.