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India urged to lower trade barriers and boost business openness

Policy analysts highlight structural impediments hindering India's commercial competitiveness, while also flagging emerging challenges in satellite spectrum allocation and foreign currency management.

LSN India · 11 September 2026

India urged to lower trade barriers and boost business openness

India faces mounting pressure to dismantle protectionist trade barriers that economists warn are constraining business growth and limiting the country's competitive edge in global markets. The debate has intensified around multiple policy fronts, with stakeholders arguing that reduced tariffs and streamlined trade protocols could unlock significant economic opportunities and attract greater foreign investment.

Beyond trade policy, the government confronts a complex set of simultaneous challenges affecting India's financial stability and industrial development. Satellite spectrum pricing mechanisms have drawn scrutiny from industry observers concerned about the costs imposed on telecommunications and space technology sectors, while liquidity pressures stemming from Foreign Currency Non-Resident deposits threaten to complicate monetary management in coming quarters.

Corporate governance issues have also featured prominently in recent policy discussions, with attention focused on succession planning among major multinational and domestic corporations operating in India. Analysts suggest that clear institutional frameworks around executive transitions could strengthen investor confidence and operational continuity.

The broader question of India's strategic positioning has acquired fresh urgency as the BRICS bloc navigates evolving geopolitical alignments and its expanding role in global affairs. Policy experts contend that addressing these interconnected economic and institutional challenges is essential to ensure India's sustained development trajectory and regional influence.