The Ministry of Commerce & Industry has launched a two‑day National Chintan Shivir on “Environment‑Related NTMs” and their implications for FTAs. The workshop, held at Nalanda Hall, IIFT Bhawan, New Delhi, runs until 23 June 2026.
Key Developments
- Senior officials from the Department of Commerce, WTO experts and industry leaders gathered to discuss emerging environmental trade rules.
- Focus on the World Trade Organization’s TBT provisions, carbon‑related measures and deforestation‑linked rules.
- Deliberations aimed at assessing how these measures could affect Indian exports and how India can protect market access through multilateral and bilateral mechanisms.
Important Facts
The workshop is jointly organised by the Centre for WTO Studies (CWS) and the Centre for Research in International Trade (CRIT), IIFT. Distinguished speakers include:
- Shri Erik Wijkström, Head, TBT Section, WTO, Geneva
- Shri Anwar Shaik, Former Chair, WTO TBT Committee
- Shri Anil Jauhri, Former CEO, NABCB and UNFCCC CDM Accreditation Panel member
- Shri Atul Sharma, Co‑Founder, Sarvada Legal
- Shri Pranav Kumar, Trade‑policy expert
Opening remarks were delivered by Dr. Pritam Banerjee (CWS) and Deputy Secretary Ms. Richa Prakash Choudhary (Dept. of Commerce). Joint Secretary Shri Ujjwal Kumar Ghosh highlighted the need for India to strengthen its preparedness for sustainability‑linked trade measures.
Exam Relevance
Understanding the nexus of trade and environment is crucial for GS‑3 (Economy) and GS‑2 (Polity) questions. Candidates should note:
- The rise of environmental NTMs and their potential to act as hidden barriers to Indian exports.
- How WTO’s TBT rules can be leveraged to challenge unjustified restrictions.
- The role of FTAs in embedding sustainability clauses, thereby influencing domestic policy and industrial compliance.
- India’s strategic use of multilateral (WTO) and bilateral (FTA) platforms to safeguard market access.
Way Forward
Participants agreed on the following actions:
- Develop a coordinated inter‑ministerial response to emerging environmental trade measures.
- Strengthen capacity of trade officials to negotiate sustainability clauses in upcoming FTAs.
- Set up a monitoring mechanism to track the impact of carbon‑related NTMs on key export sectors.
- Promote awareness among exporters about compliance with TBT standards and certification requirements.
These steps aim to protect India’s export competitiveness while aligning with global sustainable‑trade objectives.