India’s 8th WTO Trade Policy Review (TPR) – Reaffirming Commitment to an Inclusive Multilateral Trading System

WTO Trade Policy Review (TPR) Latest News

• India’s 8th Trade Policy Review (TPR) commenced at the World Trade Organization (WTO) in Geneva on 21 July 2026 (~65 WTO Members participated), covering the review period 1 January 2021–31 December 2025. 
• Led by Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agarwal, India presented its trade policy achievements, economic performance and reform agenda while responding to questions from WTO members. 
• The review serves as a transparency mechanism to assess members’ trade policies and their consistency with WTO principles.

What is the WTO Trade Policy Review Mechanism (TRPM)?

• The TPRM is a transparency exercise under the WTO. It enables members to periodically examine each other’s trade policies and practices.
• The objective is to improve transparency, predictability and accountability in the multilateral trading system rather than to enforce compliance.

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India’s Economic and Trade Performance

• India highlighted its resilience despite geopolitical tensions, supply-chain disruptions and rising global protectionism.
• Key achievements:

• • Recorded nearly 8% average annual GDP growth during 2021–2025.
  • Achieved record exports of USD 863.1 billion in 2025–26.
  • Continued pursuing the vision of Viksit Bharat @2047 while addressing the developmental needs of nearly one-fifth of the world’s population.

Major Trade and Economic Reforms Highlighted

• India showcased a broad range of structural and trade-related reforms aimed at enhancing competitiveness and integration with the global economy.
• Key initiatives:
  • Aatmanirbhar Bharat: Strengthening domestic manufacturing while integrating with Global Value Chains (GVCs).
  • Jan Vishwas initiative: Regulatory simplification and ease of doing business.
  • Digital customs and trade facilitation measures.
  • Logistics modernisation and quality infrastructure development.
  • Expansion of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) for financial inclusion and trade efficiency.
  • Promotion of Artificial Intelligence (AI), innovation and startups.
  • Focus on sustainability, agricultural resilience and inclusive development.
  • Expansion of Regional Trade Agreements (RTAs).
  • Continued support through South-South Cooperation and the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) Programme.
• India reiterated its support for balanced, development-oriented WTO reforms that strengthen the multilateral trading system while safeguarding the interests of developing countries.

Recognition from WTO Leadership and Members

• WTO TPR Body (TPRB):
  • Recognised India as one of the fastest-growing major economies.
  • Appreciated India’s leadership in digitally delivered services exports.
  • Commended reforms in DPI, financial inclusion and trade facilitation.
  • Welcomed India’s acceptance of the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies, following the deposit of its Instrument of Acceptance.
  • Praised India’s timely responses to advance questions, reflecting transparency under the TPR mechanism.
• Active participant (Brazil): Brazil’s representative highlighted –
  • Success of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) in creating a unified domestic market.
  • India’s digital trade reforms and expanding export strategy.
  • Importance of recent RTAs.
  • India’s Duty-Free Tariff Preference (DFTP) Scheme for Least Developed Countries (LDCs).
  • India’s DPI as a model for other developing countries.

Key Area of Conflict

• India and key WTO members are at loggerheads over the 66-nation Agreement on Electronic Commerce (ECA), with India challenging the legality of bypassing multilateral consensus.
• Core arguments and objections:
  • Consensus rule: 
    • India maintains that adding any new plurilateral pact to Annex 4 requires the agreement of all WTO members under the Marrakesh Agreement.
    • It failed to pass during General Council meetings in 2025.
    • Annex 4 contains plurilateral trade agreements that are binding only on the specific member countries who choose to accept them.
    • It currently includes two active pacts: the Agreement on Trade in Civil Aircraft and the Revised Agreement on Government Procurement.
    • Interim validity: Following the deadlock, 66 participating countries issued a declaration, establishing an interim arrangement to operationalize the e-commerce pact.
  • Institutional overreach: New Delhi formally questioned the institutional and legal basis, challenging a partial-membership deal.
• Broader multilateral divide:
  • Plurilateral push: Proponent nations argue that coalition-based “Joint Statement Initiatives” are necessary to prevent total paralysis on new-age trade rules when complete consensus is unachievable.
  • Systemic risk: India contends that allowing subsets of countries to operationalize unapproved agreements undermines the core multilateral character of the global trading system.

Significance of TPR for India

• Soft power and cultural diplomacy: On the sidelines of the review, India organised an exhibition showcasing  diverse Indian products, and traditional papier-mâché handicrafts.
• Reinforces: India’s image as a responsible stakeholder in the multilateral trading system.
• Demonstrates: India’s attempt to balance self-reliance (Aatmanirbhar Bharat) with greater global economic integration.
• Highlights: India’s growing role in digital trade, services exports, and South-South cooperation.
• Strengthens: India’s credibility in ongoing WTO negotiations and reform discussions.
• Reflects: India’s emphasis on inclusive, transparent and development-oriented global trade governance.

Source: PIB