By Shishir Prashant 
PrashantNews
India has reaffirmed its commitment to an open, transparent and rules-based global trading system as the country’s Eighth Trade Policy Review (TPR) concluded at the World Trade Organization (WTO) in Geneva on Thursday with members widely acknowledging India’s growing role in the global economy and expressing expectations that it will continue to play a key role in shaping the future of multilateral trade.
The two-day review, held on July 21 and 23, saw participation from 68 WTO members, while India responded to 1,094 written questions submitted by 44 members, highlighting the significant global interest in the country’s trade and investment policies, an official statement said.
Leading the Indian delegation, Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agarwal said the government remains committed to reforms aimed at creating an open, transparent and predictable trade and investment regime. He said India’s tariff reforms, customs simplification measures and an ambitious Free Trade Agreement (FTA) strategy have strengthened the country’s integration with the global economy while supporting domestic development goals.
Responding to concerns raised by member countries, Agarwal stressed that India’s trade policies are fully consistent with WTO principles while taking into account the developmental needs of a large developing economy. He said agricultural tariffs are designed to protect millions of small and resource-poor farmers, while industrial tariffs help strengthen domestic manufacturing, diversify supply chains and improve economic resilience.
Several WTO members appreciated India’s strong economic performance and constructive engagement in the multilateral trading system. They praised India’s progress in Digital Public Infrastructure, customs modernisation, trade facilitation, startup and innovation initiatives, expansion of regional trade agreements and efforts to integrate micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) into global value chains. Members also welcomed India’s acceptance of the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies.
The Commerce Secretary reiterated India’s commitment to transparency in sanitary and phytosanitary measures, technical regulations and trade remedy investigations. He said Quality Control Orders are aimed at achieving legitimate public policy objectives, while trade remedy investigations are conducted through due process, objective evidence and judicial oversight.
Highlighting broader reforms, Agarwal said India continues to focus on women’s economic empowerment, financial inclusion, intellectual property reforms, services trade, logistics modernisation, digital commerce and environmental sustainability. He also reaffirmed India’s support for WTO reforms that remain development-oriented, preserve policy space for developing countries and strengthen the credibility of the multilateral trading system.
In their closing remarks, WTO officials said members view India as an increasingly important driver of global growth and trade. Brazil’s Ambassador Guilherme de Aguiar Patriota observed that many members expect India to continue acting as a bridge-builder in promoting dialogue and consensus, while Chair Ambassador Nella Pepe Tavita-Levy of Samoa noted that India’s growing economic influence places it at the centre of efforts to strengthen the rules-based global trading system.