New Delhi [India], September 7 (ANI): India has reiterated its commitment to an open, fair, and inclusive multilateral trading system with the World Trade Organization (WTO) at its core, during the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Trade Ministers’ Meeting held in Vladivostok.
Representing Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, Additional Secretary Amitabh Kumar stressed the need for export diversification, reducing dependency, and building resilient supply chains. With the SCO representing 42% of the world’s population and 17.2% of global trade, he underlined the importance of coordinated efforts to strengthen trade flows, address vulnerabilities, and support inclusive growth.
India called for a development-centred global agenda, highlighting a permanent solution on Public Stockholding (PSH) for food security, effective Special and Differential Treatment (S&DT) for developing countries, and restoration of a fully functional two-tier WTO dispute settlement system. Kumar also emphasised the growing role of services trade and the temporary movement of skilled professionals to strengthen growth and enhance MSME participation in global value chains.
On supply chains, India underlined the importance of diversification through geographical spread, interoperable logistics, predictable market access, and enhanced connectivity, while upholding national sovereignty and territorial integrity. It cautioned against the misuse of export-related measures to create scarcity or disrupt markets, stressing the need for calibrated, transparent use to preserve trust in global trade.
In the digital sphere, India proposed SCO workstreams focused on fair and predictable regulatory frameworks, best-practice sharing, and capacity-building for secure digitalisation. It showcased its achievements in Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), including UPI, India Stack, and ONDC, presenting them as cost-effective, standards-based, and replicable solutions to reduce MSME costs, expand market access, and enable real-time settlements.
India also emphasised sustainable development through equity and the principle of Common but Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities (CBDR-RC). It highlighted its Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) initiative, while cautioning that trade-linked climate measures should not lead to arbitrary discrimination.
Additionally, India spotlighted the AVGC (Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, and Comics) sector as a driver of employment and exports. It recalled the success of the first-ever World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES 2025), which drew participants from over 100 countries and catalysed initiatives such as Waves Bazaar, WaveX, and Creatosphere. Through the India Cine Hub and 17 co-production agreements, India aims to position itself as a global film production hub.
India thanked Russia for steering the SCO’s trade and economic agenda under its presidency and reaffirmed its commitment to collaborate under Tajikistan’s chairmanship of the SCO Council of Heads of Government in 2026–27 to advance sustainable and inclusive regional growth. (ANI)
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