India Reaffirms Commitment to Rules-Based Global Trade at WTO’s Eighth Trade Policy Review
By Antara Tripathy
IBG NEWS
Geneva, July 23, 2026: India has successfully concluded its Eighth Trade Policy Review (TPR) at the World Trade Organization (WTO) in Geneva, reaffirming its commitment to maintaining an open, transparent and WTO-consistent trade regime while balancing the developmental priorities of a rapidly growing economy.
The two-day review, which concluded on Thursday, witnessed extensive participation from WTO members, underlining the international community’s growing interest in India’s economic transformation and expanding role in global trade.
High-Level Indian Delegation Leads Review
India’s delegation was led by Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agarwal, who, in his concluding address, thanked WTO members for their active engagement and constructive discussions during the review.
He emphasized that economic reforms remain an ongoing process and reiterated India’s commitment to fostering a predictable trade and investment environment. According to the Commerce Secretary, India’s continued tariff reforms, customs modernisation and ambitious Free Trade Agreement (FTA) strategy have strengthened the country’s integration with the global economy while supporting domestic development goals.
He also described India as an increasingly important driver of global demand.
Strong Global Participation
India’s Trade Policy Review attracted significant international attention.
During the review:
- 68 WTO Members participated in discussions.
- 44 WTO Members submitted a total of 1,094 written questions regarding India’s trade policies.
- Review sessions were held on July 21 and July 23, 2026.
Several participating countries appreciated India’s economic resilience, its constructive role in the multilateral trading system and its growing contribution to global commerce.
Recognition for India’s Economic Reforms
Many WTO members acknowledged India’s achievements across several sectors, including:
- Digital Public Infrastructure
- Customs and trade facilitation reforms
- Startup and innovation ecosystem
- Expansion of regional trade agreements
- Integration of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) into global value chains
- Acceptance of the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies
These initiatives were recognised as important contributors to India’s expanding role in international trade.
Balancing Development and Global Trade
Addressing questions raised by member countries, the Commerce Secretary said India’s trade policies are firmly aligned with WTO principles while taking into account the developmental needs of a large developing nation.
He explained that India’s agricultural tariff framework is intended to protect the livelihoods of millions of small, low-income and resource-poor farmers, while industrial tariff policies help strengthen supply chain resilience, encourage diversification and support domestic manufacturing.
Commitment to Transparency
India reiterated its commitment to transparency in implementing sanitary and phytosanitary standards, technical regulations and trade remedy measures.
The Commerce Secretary stated that the country’s Quality Control Orders (QCOs) are designed to achieve legitimate public policy objectives and that anti-dumping and other trade remedy investigations are conducted through transparent procedures based on objective evidence, due process and judicial oversight.
He also noted that India’s trade remedy measures cover only a limited portion of trade and continue to follow the Lesser Duty Rule under its anti-dumping framework.
Focus on Inclusive Growth
The review also highlighted India’s continued efforts to promote:
- Sustainable development
- Women’s economic empowerment
- Digital public infrastructure
- Intellectual property reforms
- Services trade
- Investment facilitation
- Ease of Doing Business
- Financial inclusion
- Logistics modernisation
- Environmental sustainability
According to the Commerce Secretary, these initiatives reflect India’s commitment to an inclusive, innovation-driven and future-ready economy.
India’s Vision for WTO Reform
During the discussions, India reaffirmed its support for an open, transparent and rules-based multilateral trading system.
The Commerce Secretary stressed that future WTO reforms should remain development-oriented, preserve policy flexibility for developing countries, strengthen the institution’s credibility and effectively deliver on existing mandates.
He reiterated India’s willingness to work constructively with all WTO members to strengthen the global trading system while safeguarding the foundational principles of the organisation.
Global Recognition for India’s Role
In his concluding observations, Ambassador Guilherme de Aguiar Patriota of Brazil, serving as the review’s Discussant, noted that many WTO members view India as an important bridge-builder capable of promoting dialogue, consensus and cooperation amid growing global economic uncertainty.
He highlighted India’s influential position as a leading voice of the Global South and its ability to help bridge differences among member nations.
Meanwhile, Ambassador Nella Pepe Tavita-Levy of Samoa, Chair of the Trade Policy Review Body, observed that WTO members broadly recognised India’s growing importance in the global economy and acknowledged its expanding contribution to international trade and economic growth.
Commitment to Shared Prosperity
Concluding the review, Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agarwal reaffirmed India’s commitment to transparency, dialogue and constructive engagement within the WTO.
Invoking the Indian philosophy of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam”—“The World is One Family”—he said India would continue working with all member countries to strengthen the multilateral trading system and ensure that international trade remains a catalyst for shared prosperity, inclusive growth and sustainable development.
The successful completion of India’s Eighth Trade Policy Review reflects the country’s growing influence in global trade governance and reinforces expectations that India will continue playing a pivotal role in shaping the future of a fair, inclusive and rules-based international trading system.
