India urged to unlock trade potential through FTAs, value addition

New Delhi — The Department of Commerce has pressed Indian manufacturers to move beyond passive participation in international trade frameworks, emphasizing that free trade agreements alone are insufficient without active industry engagement.

Yashvir Singh, Additional Secretary in the Department of Commerce, said at a manufacturing conclave that while India has negotiated numerous trade agreements, industry must take initiative to leverage these opportunities. "All trade agreements which India has signed is a door, but doors, however magnificently crafted, do not open themselves. It is the industry that must walk through them," Singh stated.

The government has outlined strategic priorities for manufacturers, including expanding market access through FTAs, attracting foreign investment and technology, diversifying supply chains, and building manufacturing ecosystems resilient to global disruptions. Officials stressed the need for value addition across sectors as a means to enhance competitiveness and reduce reliance on commodity exports.

The push reflects New Delhi's broader ambition to position India as a dependable and competitive participant in global manufacturing networks, rather than a peripheral player in international commerce. The effort aligns with government initiatives to strengthen domestic manufacturing capabilities and reduce India's import dependency across critical sectors.