India has successfully concluded its Eighth Trade Policy Review (TPR) at the World Trade Organization (WTO) in Geneva, reaffirming its commitment to an open, transparent and rules-based multilateral trading system.
The Indian delegation, led by Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agarwal, highlighted the country's ongoing trade reforms, including tariff rationalisation, customs simplification and an ambitious Free Trade Agreement (FTA) strategy aimed at strengthening India's integration with the global economy while supporting domestic development.
During the review, India addressed 1,094 written questions from 44 WTO members, while 68 member countries participated in discussions held on July 21 and 23, 2026. Several members appreciated India's economic resilience, constructive engagement at the WTO, digital public infrastructure, trade facilitation initiatives, startup ecosystem, regional trade agreements and acceptance of the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies.
India reiterated that its trade policies are aligned with WTO rules while balancing the developmental priorities of a large developing economy. The government said agricultural tariffs are designed to protect the livelihoods of small farmers, while industrial tariffs help strengthen domestic manufacturing and supply chain resilience.
The Commerce Secretary also reaffirmed India's commitment to transparency in quality control measures, trade remedies and regulatory practices. He highlighted the country's progress in financial inclusion, digital commerce, logistics, intellectual property reforms, women's economic empowerment, investment facilitation and sustainable development.
On WTO reforms, India reiterated its support for a development-oriented, inclusive and transparent multilateral trading system that preserves policy space for developing nations while strengthening the WTO's credibility.
Concluding the review, WTO members acknowledged India's growing role in global trade and expressed expectations that the country would continue to play a key role in promoting dialogue, building consensus and strengthening the rules-based global trading system.