India’s SCO Message: Fair Trade Needs WTO, Not Trade Wars

In a powerful reaffirmation of its global trade stance, India reiterated its commitment to a fair, inclusive, and rules-based multilateral trading system anchored in World Trade Organization principles at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Trade Ministers' Meeting held in Vladivostok, Russia, on September 6. Represented by Amitabh Kumar, Additional Secretary in the Department of Commerce, India called for coordinated action among SCO member states to enhance trade flows, reduce vulnerabilities, and promote inclusive growth across the region.

 

The meeting comes at a time when global trade faces mounting challenges—from tariff wars and supply chain disruptions to climate-linked trade barriers. India’s intervention emphasized the need to uphold transparency, equity, and development-centric policies while cautioning against protectionist practices that distort markets.

 

Key Highlights From India’s Address

 

•⁠  ⁠India called for restoring the WTO’s two-tier dispute settlement system to ensure fair resolution of trade disagreements.

•⁠  ⁠A permanent solution on Public Stockholding for food security was proposed to safeguard developing nations.

•⁠  ⁠India advocated for effective Special and Differential Treatment provisions to support emerging economies.

•⁠  ⁠The country emphasized the importance of services trade and temporary movement of skilled professionals to boost MSME participation in global value chains.

 

Strengthening Regional Trade Through SCO

 

The SCO region accounts for 42 percent of the world’s population and 17.2 percent of global trade. India urged member nations to leverage this collective strength to build resilient supply chains and diversify exports. The focus was on:

 

1.⁠ ⁠Reducing over-dependence on limited geographies

2.⁠ ⁠Promoting interoperable logistics and predictable market access

3.⁠ ⁠Enhancing connectivity while respecting national sovereignty and territorial integrity

 

India also stressed that persistent trade imbalances must be addressed through better market access, cooperation on standards, and streamlined trade facilitation.

 

Caution Against Weaponisation Of Trade Measures

 

India issued a strong warning against the misuse of export-related measures, stating that such actions should not be weaponised to create artificial scarcity or disrupt supply chains. Instead, it called for calibrated and transparent use of trade tools to maintain trust in international commerce.

 

This statement gains significance in light of recent export restrictions by certain SCO members, which have impacted India’s auto and electronics sectors, particularly in sourcing rare earth magnets and fertilizers.

 

Digital Economy And Innovation-Led Growth

 

India proposed new SCO workstreams focused on building fair and predictable regulatory frameworks for the digital economy. It showcased its achievements in Digital Public Infrastructure, including:

 

•⁠  ⁠UPI for real-time payments

•⁠  ⁠India Stack for identity and consent management

•⁠  ⁠ONDC for unbundled digital commerce

 

These platforms were presented as low-cost, standards-based models that can be replicated across SCO nations to reduce MSME costs and expand market access.

 

Climate Action And Sustainable Trade

 

On sustainability, India emphasized the principle of Common but Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities. It highlighted the Mission LiFE initiative, which promotes environmentally conscious lifestyles. India also cautioned that climate-linked trade measures should not result in arbitrary discrimination or restrict market access for developing countries.

 

Creative Industries And Future Trade Potential

 

India spotlighted the animation, visual effects, gaming, and comics (AVGC) sector as a new engine of employment and exports. It referenced the successful hosting of the World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES 2025) as a model for cross-border creative collaboration.

 

Conclusion: A Call For Balanced Global Trade

 

India’s address at the SCO Trade Ministers’ Meeting was a clarion call for balanced, transparent, and development-driven trade policies. By reaffirming its commitment to WTO norms and proposing actionable reforms, India positioned itself as a responsible stakeholder in shaping the future of global commerce.

 

Sources: IBTimes India, CNBC TV18, Moneycontrol, MSN News, NewsOnAir.