Commerce Secretary Reaffirms India's Commitment to Open, Transparent and WTO-Consistent Trade Regime

68 WTO Members Participate in India's Trade Policy Review, Reflecting Strong Global Interest in India's Economic Transformation

The second and final session of India's Eighth Trade Policy Review (TPR) concluded today at the World Trade Organization (WTO) in Geneva. The Trade Policy Review is a key transparency and monitoring mechanism of the WTO under which Members' trade and related policies are periodically examined to enhance transparency, strengthen adherence to WTO rules and facilitate constructive dialogue among Members.

India's official delegation for the Eighth Trade Policy Review was led by Commerce Secretary Shri Rajesh Agarwal. In his closing statement to the WTO Membership, the Commerce Secretary thanked Members for their active participation and the keen interest shown in India's trade policies. He reaffirmed that reform is a continuous process and highlighted India's commitment to an open, transparent and predictable trade and investment regime. He underlined that India's tariff reforms, customs simplification measures and ambitious Free Trade Agreement (FTA) strategy have steadily strengthened the country's integration with the global economy while supporting domestic development objectives. He also emphasized that India remains a major engine of global demand.

Responding to the issues raised by Members, the Commerce Secretary reiterated that India's trade policies are guided by WTO-consistent principles while balancing the developmental needs of a large developing economy. He emphasized that India's agricultural tariff structure is designed to safeguard the livelihoods of millions of small, low-income and resource-poor farmers, ensuring fairness and equity, while industrial tariffs support supply chain resilience, diversification and domestic manufacturing capabilities in an evolving global economic environment.

During the review, India received 1,094 written questions from 44 WTO Members. During the two review sessions held on 21 and 23 July 2026, 68 WTO Members made interventions, reflecting growing global interest in India's economic transformation and its role in the multilateral trading system. Several Members recalled the value of their trade and economic relationship with India and broadly appreciated India's constructive engagement in the multilateral trading system and its strong economic resilience. Members also highlighted India's achievements in Digital Public Infrastructure, customs and trade facilitation modernization, innovation and startup initiatives, expansion of regional trade agreements, and efforts to integrate MSMEs into global value chains. They also welcomed India's acceptance of the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies.

On sanitary and phytosanitary measures, technical regulations and trade remedies, the Commerce Secretary reaffirmed India's commitment to transparency, stakeholder consultations and adherence to WTO rules. He noted that India's Quality Control Orders are intended to achieve legitimate public policy objectives, while trade remedy investigations are conducted transparently, based on objective evidence, due process and judicial oversight. He further highlighted that the overall trade coverage of India's trade remedy measures remains limited and that India continues to apply the Lesser Duty Rule in its anti-dumping framework.

The Commerce Secretary also highlighted India's continued efforts to promote sustainable development, women's economic empowerment, digital public infrastructure, intellectual property reforms, services trade, investment facilitation and Ease of Doing Business. He noted India's significant progress in financial inclusion, digital commerce, logistics modernization and environmental sustainability, while reaffirming India's commitment to an inclusive and innovation-driven growth model.

On WTO reform, the Commerce Secretary reiterated India's strong commitment to an open, inclusive, transparent and rules-based multilateral trading system. He emphasized that WTO reform should remain development-oriented, preserve policy space for developing countries, strengthen the Organization's credibility and deliver on existing mandates. India also reaffirmed its commitment to engaging constructively with all Members to strengthen the multilateral trading system while preserving the foundational principles of the WTO.

The Commerce Secretary expressed his gratitude to the Chair of the Trade Policy Review Body, Ambassador Nella Pepe Tavita-Levy of Samoa, and the Discussant, Ambassador Guilherme de Aguiar Patriota of Brazil, for their leadership and valuable contributions during the review process. He also thanked the WTO Secretariat, WTO Members, and the Indian teams in Geneva and New Delhi for their dedicated efforts in ensuring the successful conclusion of India's Eighth Trade Policy Review.

Concluding the review, the Commerce Secretary reaffirmed India's unwavering commitment to transparency, dialogue and constructive engagement within the WTO. Recalling the Indian philosophy of "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam"—the world is one family—he emphasized that India will continue to work with all Members to strengthen the multilateral trading system so that international trade remains a force for shared prosperity, inclusive growth and sustainable development.

In his closing remarks, the Discussant, H.E. Mr. Guilherme de Aguiar Patriota (Brazil, in his personal capacity), observed that at a time of heightened global uncertainty, many Members expressed the expectation that India would continue to act as a bridge-builder by promoting dialogue, fostering consensus and strengthening a rules-based, inclusive and resilient multilateral trading system. He underscored India's unique position as a leading voice of the Global South and its important role in bridging differences among Members to advance collective action within the WTO.

In her concluding remarks, the Chair of the Trade Policy Review Body, Ambassador Nella Pepe Tavita-Levy of Samoa, noted that WTO Members widely acknowledged India's growing importance in the global economy and recognized its expanding role as a driver of global growth and trade. She also referred to the concerns raised by Members and expressed the hope that India would address them appropriately.

Overall, India's Eighth Trade Policy Review concluded on a positive note, underscoring the country's growing importance in the multilateral trading system and Members' expectation that India will continue to play a central role in strengthening and shaping the future of the rules-based global trading system.