With many countries turning protectionist, the focus of trade negotiations has shifted from multi-lateral to regional and bilateral deals. This spells a very different future for the global trade regime governing both goods and services. On its part, India seeks to become more assertive on issues of importance to it: more liberal visa regimes for its workers, easier IP norms for drugs and technology products, financial support for pursuing multi-lateral goals with respect to climate change, etc. At the same time, nations are linking economic and geopolitical considerations in ways that they never did before. The two are no longer compartmentalised.
At a recent the India CEO, CFO and CHRO Forums session, Ambassador Syed Akbaruddin, shared his insights on the evolving multilateral trade landscape, the risks and opportunities arising from a confluence of economic and geopolitical factors, and the implications for India. This podcast summarises the discussion.