India’s Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal highlighted the country’s strategy towards Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) during the CII Annual Business Summit 2026 in Mumbai. Agrawal emphasized the importance of building strong partnerships that facilitate the integration of domestic industries into global value chains. He stressed the need for trade resilience, long-term predictability, and trusted partnerships in today’s fragmented global trade landscape.
Modern FTAs are moving beyond tariff reductions to enhance supply chains, regulatory cooperation, investment flows, and sustainable economic growth, according to Agrawal. The objective of India’s FTAs is to establish a predictable trade environment for investors and create a solid foundation for both domestic and international trade. The government is focusing on ensuring stability and sustainability beyond tariffs to foster long-term economic growth.
Agrawal’s vision for India’s FTA framework is to enhance global competitiveness for industries and facilitate seamless integration into evolving global supply chains. He reiterated the importance of stable and future-ready partnerships to enable industries to effectively connect with global value chains. In the face of global uncertainties and disruptions, India remains committed to sustaining growth in key sectors and strengthening supply chains against external shocks.
