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India urged to lead WTO overhaul for Global South interests

Opinion pieces across Indian media highlight critical policy challenges ranging from trade reform to infrastructure safety and currency management. Commentators call for New Delhi to champion multilateral trade rules that better serve developing nations.

LSN India · 22 October 2026

India urged to lead WTO overhaul for Global South interests

India faces mounting pressure to take a more assertive stance in reshaping the World Trade Organization to advance the interests of Global South countries, according to a broad consensus among policy analysts and editorial voices. The calls underscore New Delhi's growing responsibility as a leading voice for developing economies in international trade negotiations, where current frameworks are seen as favoring established trading powers.

Beyond trade, India's policymakers are confronting a range of pressing domestic issues that demand urgent attention. Delays in approving satellite broadband services threaten to widen connectivity gaps in rural areas, while highway construction projects continue to raise safety concerns that claim lives. These infrastructure challenges highlight the gap between policy intent and implementation effectiveness.

Monetary policy also remains a focal point of debate, with commentators scrutinizing the Reserve Bank of India's approach to rupee management amid currency volatility. Analysts argue that stronger coordination between fiscal and monetary authorities is essential for macroeconomic stability.

Simultaneously, India's progress on women's rights remains contested, with activists and opinion leaders pointing to persistent gaps between constitutional guarantees and ground-level realities. Broader economic and social reforms, they contend, must be accompanied by concrete measures to enhance gender equity and protect vulnerable populations.