India Reaffirms Commitment to Fair Trade System at SCO Trade Ministers’ Meeting
India has underscored the potential of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) to foster shared prosperity during the recent SCO Trade Ministers’ Meeting in Vladivostok on September 6, 2025. The country emphasized the importance of export diversification, reducing dependency, and establishing resilient supply chains. With the SCO representing 42% of the global population and 17.2% of international trade, India called for coordinated efforts to enhance trade flows and promote inclusive growth throughout the region.
Commitment to a Fair Trading System
At the meeting, India was represented by Shri Amitabh Kumar, Additional Secretary in the Department of Commerce, who spoke on behalf of the Union Minister of Commerce & Industry. He stressed the necessity of an open, fair, and inclusive multilateral trading system, with the World Trade Organization (WTO) at its core. Kumar highlighted the need for a development-centered agenda that includes a permanent solution for Public Stockholding (PSH) to ensure food security, effective Special and Differential Treatment (S&D) for developing nations, and the restoration of a fully functional two-tier WTO dispute settlement system. He also pointed out the significance of services trade and the temporary movement of skilled professionals, advocating for alignment with national laws and transparency to bolster economic growth and enhance the participation of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in global value chains.
Diversifying Supply Chains
India emphasized the critical need for diversifying and de-risking supply and production chains. This approach includes geographical diversification, interoperable logistics, predictable market access, and improved connectivity, all while respecting national sovereignty and territorial integrity. The country noted that persistent trade imbalances must be addressed through enhanced market access, cooperation on standards, and streamlined trade facilitation. India cautioned against the misuse of export-related measures, warning that such actions could create artificial scarcity, distort markets, or disrupt supply chains. It stressed that the calibrated and transparent use of these measures is essential to maintain trust in international commerce.
Advancements in the Digital Economy
On the topic of the digital economy, India proposed the establishment of workstreams within the SCO focused on creating fair, transparent, and predictable regulatory frameworks. The country advocated for voluntary cooperation on best practices and capacity-building initiatives to support secure, innovation-led digitalization. India showcased its achievements in Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), including 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. These initiatives were presented as low-cost, standards-based models that could help reduce costs for MSMEs, expand market access, and facilitate real-time settlements through pilot projects among trusted partners.
Focus on Sustainable Development and Creative Industries
India also highlighted its commitment to sustainable development, emphasizing equity and the principle of Common but Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities (CBDR-RC). The country showcased the Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) initiative, asserting that climate action must be supported by financial resources and the flow of affordable technology. India warned that trade-linked climate measures should not lead to arbitrary or unjustified discrimination. Additionally, the country spotlighted the Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, and Comics (AVGC) sector as a significant driver of employment and inclusive growth. India recalled its successful hosting of the first-ever World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES 2025), which attracted participants from over 100 countries and catalyzed various initiatives aimed at global media collaboration and talent development.
India expressed gratitude to the Russian Presidency of the SCO Council of Heads of Government for advancing a substantive trade and economic agenda. The country reaffirmed its commitment to collaborate under Tajikistan’s Chairmanship of the SCO CHG in 2026–27 to promote sustainable and inclusive economic growth across the region.
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