Stakeholders Deliberate on Emerging Environment-Related Trade Measures and Their Impact on India's Export Competitiveness

The Department of Commerce, Government of India, in collaboraation with the Centre for WTO Studies (CWS) and the Centre for Research in International Trade (CRIT), Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT), inaugurated a two-day National Workshop/Chintan Shivir on “Environment-Related Non-Tariff Measures: WTO Rules and Their Implications for Free Trade Agreements (FTAs)” at Nalanda Hall, IIFT Bhawan, New Delhi.

The workshop brings together senior government officials, trade experts, WTO practitioners, industry representatives, and stakeholders associated with multilateral and bilateral trade negotiations to deliberate on the emerging challenges posed by environment-related non-tariff measures (NTMs) and their implications for India's trade and export competitiveness.

The workshop aims to enhance understanding of the increasing number of environmental and climate-related trade measures being adopted globally, assess their potential impact on Indian exports, and formulate strategic responses through the WTO framework and India's Free Trade Agreements. The deliberations are expected to contribute to India's efforts to safeguard market access, strengthen export competitiveness, and promote sustainable trade practices.

The deliberations will cover key themes such as WTO rules governing Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT), sustainability-related non-tariff measures, carbon- and deforestation-related trade measures, stakeholder and industry perspectives, and strategies for addressing emerging trade concerns through multilateral and bilateral mechanisms. The workshop will conclude on 23 June 2026 with a valedictory session.

The inaugural session commenced with opening remarks by Head, Centre for WTO Studies (CWS), Dr. Pritam Banerjee. Deputy Secretary, Department of Commerce, Ms. Richa Prakash Choudhary, welcomed the participants and outlined the objectives of the workshop. Joint Secretary, Department of Commerce, Shri Ujjwal Kumar Ghosh, delivered the Special Address, underscoring the importance of strengthening India's preparedness to address sustainability-linked trade measures and evolving global regulatory frameworks. The session concluded with a vote of thanks by Professor and Head of Administration, CRIT-IIFT, Dr. Murali Kallummal.

The workshop features distinguished experts, including Head, Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Section, Trade and Environment Division, WTO, Geneva, Shri Erik Wijkström; Former Chair, WTO TBT Committee, Shri Anwar Shaik; Former Chief Executive Officer, National Accreditation Board for Certification Bodies (NABCB) and Member, UNFCCC CDM Accreditation Panel, Shri Anil Jauhri; Co-Founder and Advocate, Sarvada Legal, Shri Atul Sharma; trade policy expert, Shri Pranav Kumar; as well as senior officials from the Department of Commerce and the Centre for WTO Studies.

Environmental trade measures shape WTO and FTA discussions on export competitiveness, market access, and sustainable trade practices. A two-day National Workshop/Chintan Shivir examines environment-related non-tariff measures and their implications for WTO rules and India's free trade agreements. The deliberations focus on the growing use of environmental and climate-linked trade measures, their impact on Indian exports and export competitiveness, and strategic responses that preserve market access while supporting sustainable trade practices. The workshop covers Technical Barriers to Trade, sustainability-related non-tariff measures, and carbon- and deforestation-related trade measures.