The Centre for Research on International Trade (CRIT), New Delhi, in partnership with the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT), New Delhi, organised a three-day Orientation Course on Trade Negotiations from 28 to 30 September 2026 in New Delhi. The programme provided participants with an overview of key concepts, institutions and contemporary issues relating to international trade and trade negotiations.

The academic programme on the first day covered sessions on “Emerging World Trade Scenario: Challenges & Opportunities and Introduction to Basic Concepts of Trade Theory”, “Introduction to WTO” and a panel discussion on WTO issues.

The second day featured sessions on “Labour/Environment/Sustainability and Trade”, “Legal Analysis & Treaty Interpretation of Trade Agreements”, “Trade Analysis/Trade Databases” and “Dispute Settlement”.

On the third day, participants joined specialised tracks. Track I covered “Trade Remedies”, “Rules of Origin” and “Non-Tariff Measures (NTMs)”, while Track II covered “Intellectual Property Rights (IPR)”, “Digital Trade” and “Services”.

The programme concluded with the Valedictory Session, which included the valedictory address by Professor & Head, CTIL, with additional charge as Professor & Head, CWS, Dr. James J. Nedumpara ; the keynote address by Vice Chancellor, IIFT Dr. K. Rangarajan; and the Special Address by Additional Secretary, Department of Commerce, Shri Amitabh Kumar. Professor, CWS & Head Admin, CRIT, Dr. Murali Kallummal, proposed the vote of thanks, followed by the distribution of certificates.

In his Special Address, Shri Amitabh Kumar highlighted the role of trade in supporting GDP growth, while noting the need for trade professionals to navigate an increasingly complex global trading environment, including neo-mercantilist approaches and measures such as the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) and the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). Referring to India’s economic reforms since 1991 and its accession to the WTO in 1995, he highlighted the expanding scope of multilateral trade rules beyond goods to services, intellectual property rights and sustainability-related issues, and appreciated CRIT’s initiative in organising the capacity-building programme.

The three-day course provided participants with a structured understanding of the international trading system and trade negotiations, covering foundational concepts and the WTO framework, as well as the economic, legal and policy dimensions of contemporary trade. The specialised sessions further provided insights into key negotiating areas relevant to the evolving global trade landscape.

 

 

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Abhishek Dayal/ Abhijith Narayanan/ Abhimanyu Panwar

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