Commerce Secretary Emphasizes Legal Deliberation for Global Trade at CTIL's 9th Anniversary

The 9th anniversary celebrations of the Centre for Trade and Investment Law (CTIL) were held on October 7, 2026, at the Prime Minister's Museum and Library in New Delhi. In a video address marking the occasion, Commerce Secretary Shri Rajesh Agrawal stated that existing rules are currently being questioned, while trade measures related to digital trade and sustainability are reshaping the global trade agenda. He emphasized that rigorous legal deliberation is more critical now than ever before and that CTIL, as a leading institution, is well-positioned to make significant contributions in this regard.

The Commerce Secretary praised the trust CTIL has earned among the government, industry, and the trade law community. He specifically noted CTIL's contributions in providing legal analysis and specialized assistance during Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations, dispute settlements, and the creation of institutional memory.

Justice P.S. Narasimha of the Supreme Court of India stated during the event that India needs institutions like CTIL that are capable of not only following developments in international economic law but also shaping them. He stressed the necessity of a sustainable international investment law framework that balances investment protection with the regulatory rights of states.

Professor James J. Nedumpara, Head of the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT) and WTO India Chair, explained that CTIL was established to strengthen India's trade capacity as part of its economic diplomacy. He shared that the center has provided over 4,000 legal opinions to date and has contributed to negotiations for approximately 10 Free Trade Agreements, as well as WTO negotiations and dispute settlements.

Shri Yashveer Singh, Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, outlined CTIL's role in major initiatives such as the G20 and BRICS, as well as in various trade agreements. Meanwhile, Joint Secretary of the Ministry, Smt. Kapil Chaudhary, highlighted CTIL's growing research in emerging sectors such as semiconductors, Artificial Intelligence (AI), critical minerals, supply chains, and climate, while noting the importance of institutional knowledge management.

During the ceremony, the 9th anniversary issue of the CTIL journal, titled “Emerging Sustainable Development Landscape: Facing Changing Trends,” was released. Additionally, a special anniversary edition of the 'Investment Law Compass,' a monthly newsletter focused on investment law and policy, was launched. The event concluded with the presentation of long-service awards to the faculty and staff of CTIL.