India Highlights Record Exports and WTO Commitment at Trade Policy Review

India’s Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agarwal (also reported as Agrawal) led the country’s eighth Trade Policy Review at the World Trade Organization in Geneva, reaffirming a commitment to a transparent, rule‑based multilateral trading system. The review highlighted that Indian exports reached a record $863.1 billion for 2025‑26, with strong growth despite a challenging global environment. Key reforms cited included digital customs, logistics modernization, the Production‑Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme, Quality Control Orders, tariff rationalisation and expanded free‑trade agreements.

WTO members raised questions on India’s PLI scheme, tariff changes and QCO regime, seeking clarity on their consistency with WTO subsidy and market‑access rules. India defended the measures as necessary for public‑policy objectives and reiterated its open‑trade stance.

Separately, India’s gem and jewellery sector reported a 26.5 % jump in June exports to $2.21 billion, driven by strong demand for gold, diamonds and lab‑grown stones, and benefited from lower gold prices and new trade agreements such as the India‑UK CETA. A market outlook from 6Wresearch projects India’s overall export potential to reach $94 billion in smartphones by 2031, with the United States, Japan and China remaining the largest markets while untapped opportunities grow in other regions.