New Delhi: India has reaffirmed its steadfast commitment to an open, fair, inclusive, and non-discriminatory multilateral trading system centered on the World Trade Organization (WTO) during the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Trade Ministers’ Meeting in Vladivostok, Russia, on September 6, 2025. Representing Union Minister of Commerce & Industry Piyush Goyal, Additional Secretary Amitabh Kumar underscored the importance of leveraging the SCO’s collective strengths to foster shared prosperity, resilient supply chains, and inclusive economic growth. With the SCO representing 42% of the world’s population and 17.2% of global trade, India’s proactive stance signals its pivotal role in shaping the future of international commerce.
Harnessing SCO’s Potential for Regional Prosperity
The SCO, a formidable Eurasian bloc comprising 10 member states, including India, China, Russia, and Pakistan, is a critical platform for economic cooperation. At the meeting, Kumar emphasized the need for export diversification, reduced dependency on single markets, and the development of robust supply chains to address vulnerabilities and enhance trade flows. India stressed that persistent trade imbalances must be tackled through improved market access, harmonized standards, and streamlined trade facilitation processes.
A key concern raised was the potential misuse of export-related measures. Kumar cautioned, “Export controls should not be weaponized to create artificial scarcity or disrupt markets.” He advocated for their transparent and calibrated use to maintain trust in global commerce, reinforcing India’s commitment to fair trade practices.
Championing a WTO-Centered Global Trade Framework
Established in 1995 under the Marrakesh Agreement as the successor to the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), the WTO, headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, has 166 members, with India as a founding member. Its core principles include non-discriminatory trade, freer trade through negotiation, and fair competition. However, the organization faces significant challenges, which India addressed with clarity and resolve.
Addressing WTO’s Critical Issues
- Public Stockholding (PSH): India’s Minimum Support Price (MSP) regime, where governments purchase agricultural produce at fixed prices, is often criticized as trade-distorting. India pushed for a permanent solution to PSH to ensure food security for developing nations without facing trade penalties.
- Special & Differential Treatment (S&DT): These provisions grant developing and Least Developed Countries special rights and favorable treatment. While some developed nations seek to phase them out, India strongly supported their continuation to promote equity in global trade.
- Dispute Settlement System: The WTO’s Appellate Body has been non-functional since 2019 due to U.S. objections to appointments, hindering trade dispute resolutions. India called for restoring a fully operational two-tier system to ensure effective adjudication.
- Emerging Global Challenges: India highlighted geopolitical issues like U.S. tariff policies and the Russia-Ukraine conflict, alongside modern concerns such as data privacy, digital taxation, climate change, and the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). These require WTO-led solutions that prioritize development and fairness.
India’s development-focused agenda aims to strengthen the WTO’s relevance, ensuring it serves as a robust framework for global trade equity.
Strengthening Services Trade and MSME Inclusion
Kumar emphasized the critical role of services trade and the temporary movement of skilled professionals, conducted in line with national laws and transparency, in driving economic growth. These efforts aim to enhance the participation of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in global value chains, fostering inclusive economic opportunities. India proposed diversifying supply chains through geographical expansion, interoperable logistics, predictable market access, and enhanced connectivity, all while respecting national sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Showcasing Digital Public Infrastructure
India presented its pioneering Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) as a model for global adoption. Initiatives like the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) for real-time payments, India Stack for identity and consent management, and the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) for unbundled digital commerce were highlighted as low-cost, scalable solutions. These systems reduce costs for MSMEs, expand market access, and enable real-time settlements. India proposed SCO workstreams to develop fair, transparent, and predictable e-commerce regulatory frameworks, alongside voluntary cooperation on best practices and capacity-building for secure digitalization. Pilot projects among trusted SCO partners were suggested to replicate these successes.
Commitment to Sustainable Development
Sustainability was a cornerstone of India’s message. Emphasizing equity and the principle of Common but Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities (CBDR-RC), India showcased its Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) initiative, which promotes eco-conscious living to combat climate change. Kumar stressed that effective climate action requires financial support and affordable technology transfers from developed nations. He cautioned that trade-linked climate measures, such as the EU’s CBAM, must avoid arbitrary or unjustified discrimination to ensure fairness for emerging economies.
AVGC Sector: A New Frontier for Growth
India highlighted its Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, and Comics (AVGC) sector as a dynamic engine for employment, exports, and inclusive growth. The country celebrated the success of the World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES 2025), hosted earlier this year, which attracted participants from over 100 countries. The summit spurred initiatives like Waves Bazaar for global media collaboration, WaveX for funding creative startups, and Creatosphere for talent development through the Create in India Challenge. Supported by simplified regulations and 17 co-production agreements, the India Cine Hub is positioning India as a global film production hub.
Gratitude and Forward-Looking Cooperation
India expressed gratitude to the Russian Presidency of the SCO Council of Heads of Government for steering a substantive trade and economic agenda. Looking ahead, India committed to collaborating under Tajikistan’s Chairmanship in 2026–27 to advance sustainable and inclusive growth across the SCO region.
Broader Global Implications
India’s reaffirmation comes at a time when global trade faces disruptions from U.S. tariff policies, the Russia-Ukraine conflict, and emerging issues like digital taxation and climate measures. Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal’s recent call for unity against global trade shocks underscores India’s leadership in navigating these challenges. The SCO’s role in fostering a post-Trump global order further amplifies the significance of India’s contributions to regional and global trade stability.
India’s focus on digital innovation, sustainability, and creative industries positions it as a leader in modern trade frameworks. The success of initiatives like UPI, ONDC, and WAVES 2025 offers replicable models for other nations, enhancing India’s global influence.
Conclusion
India’s participation in the SCO Trade Ministers’ Meeting on September 6, 2025, reinforces its commitment to a WTO-centered, fair trade system while advocating for regional cooperation to build resilient supply chains and inclusive growth. By addressing critical WTO challenges, promoting digital infrastructure, and championing sustainability and creative industries, India is shaping a forward-looking global trade agenda. With its strategic vision, India continues to play a pivotal role in fostering equity and collaboration in international commerce.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What was India’s key message at the SCO Trade Ministers’ Meeting held on September 6, 2025?
India reaffirmed its commitment to an open, fair, inclusive, and non-discriminatory multilateral trading system with the World Trade Organization (WTO) at its core. Represented by Additional Secretary Amitabh Kumar, India emphasized leveraging the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation’s (SCO) collective strengths to foster shared prosperity, resilient supply chains, and inclusive economic growth. The country highlighted the need for export diversification, reduced dependency, and coordinated action to address trade imbalances and vulnerabilities.
2. What specific WTO issues did India address during the meeting?
India focused on several critical WTO challenges:
Emerging Challenges: Addressing geopolitical issues like U.S. tariffs, the Russia-Ukraine conflict, and modern concerns such as data privacy, digital taxation, and the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM).
Public Stockholding (PSH): Advocating for a permanent solution to support food security programs like India’s Minimum Support Price (MSP) regime, which some view as trade-distorting.
Special & Differential Treatment (S&DT): Supporting the continuation of special rights for developing and Least Developed Countries despite calls from developed nations to phase them out.
Dispute Settlement System: Urging the restoration of the WTO’s Appellate Body, non-functional since 2019 due to U.S. objections, to resolve trade disputes effectively.
3. How did India propose to enhance digital trade within the SCO?
India showcased its Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), including the Unified Payments Interface (UPI), India Stack, and the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC), as low-cost, scalable models to reduce MSME costs and expand market access. It proposed SCO workstreams for fair, transparent e-commerce frameworks, voluntary cooperation on best practices, and capacity-building for secure digitalization, suggesting pilot projects among trusted SCO partners to replicate these systems.
4. What was India’s stance on sustainability and climate action at the meeting?
India emphasized equity and the principle of Common but Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities (CBDR-RC), promoting its Mission LiFE initiative for eco-conscious living. It called for climate action supported by finance and affordable technology transfers from developed nations and cautioned that trade-linked climate measures, like the EU’s CBAM, must avoid arbitrary discrimination to ensure fairness for developing economies.
5. How is India positioning its AVGC sector globally, as discussed at the SCO meeting?
India highlighted its Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, and Comics (AVGC) sector as a driver of employment, exports, and inclusive growth. The success of the World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES 2025), which attracted participants from over 100 countries, led to initiatives like Waves Bazaar, WaveX, and Creatosphere. Supported by the India Cine Hub and 17 co-production agreements, India aims to become a global film production hub.
