Centre for WTO Studies

Dr. Pritam Banerjee , (Head and Professor, Centre for WTO Studies) was invited to deliver a lecture for the module "Impact of US Tariffs on India and Policy Measures" at the IMF South Asia Regional Training and Technical Assistance Center (SARTTAC) for their training of mid-career Indian Economic Service (IES) officers. There was a lively discussion and exchange of views. We would like to thank Mr. Rajan Govil and his colleagues at the Centre for their invitation.

The rules-based global trading system, underpinned by the WTO, is facing its toughest test yet. While protectionism has so far targeted merchandise trade, services trade especially offshore delivery (Mode 1) has remained relatively open. Yet this openness is not guaranteed, as anti-globalization pressures are now extending into the services domain.

Our new Centre for WTO Studies Working Paper, “Rising Protectionism in Services: Implications for India”, co-authored by Dr. Pritam Banerjee and Ms. Deeksha Yadav, examines how the proposed U.S. Halting International Relocation of Employment (HIRE) Act 2025 signals this shift.

Measures like the HIRE Act, which proposes a 25% tariff on U.S. service imports and steep H-1B visa fee hikes (up to $100k), targets both offshore delivery and on-site professional presence, the twin pillars of India’s services exports. However, enforcing such measures is highly complex, as services are intangible and embedded in global value chains, with transfer pricing allowing MNEs to minimize tax liabilities.

These moves go beyond knee-jerk protectionism. They reflect a strategic U.S. effort to reset global competition in services, favouring large American MNEs while disadvantaging competitors, including India’s IT and digital services firms.

Digitally delivered services are now the fastest-growing segment of global trade. Engineers in Hyderabad manage robots in German factories; doctors in Pune diagnose patients in Sydney; lawyers in Kolkata draft briefs for clients in New York. This integration challenges white-collar workers in advanced economies, fuelling political pressures for protection.
While the short-term impact on India may be limited, given U.S. dependence on India’s STEM talent and cost advantages, however, the long-term strategic risk is a policy “reset” that entrenches U.S. dominance in global digital value chains.

Our paper calls for a multi-pronged strategy for India to navigate rising protectionism in services - securing binding market-access commitments in upcoming FTAs (especially with the EU), working with partners at the WTO to challenge discriminatory measures like the HIRE Act, and encouraging Indian firms to “productize” their expertise into Digital Solutions as a Service to capture greater value and reduce exposure to outsourcing-related risks.

Equally vital is market diversification beyond the U.S., expanding into the EU, Japan, and other advanced Asian economies. The rising tide of protectionism in services is undeniable and hence India must act decisively, not just to defend its position, but to shape the next phase of global digital globalization.

The link to the working paper🔗:https://wtocentre.iift.ac.in/workingpaper/Protectionism%20in%20Services-WP-90.pdf

wtocentre.iift.ac.in

Centre for WTO Studies is happy to share the latest article by Dr. Pritam Banerjee (Head and Professor, Centre for WTO Studies) in Economic Times.

The piece discusses the broad contours of trade policy priorities for India, and attempts to touch upon some of the key issues that must be debated by policymakers.

Read the full article here:

From trade deals to supply chains: India must recalibrate its policy to compete in a fragmented world economy - The Economic Times India's trade policy aims to boost growth and jobs amidst global challenges. A strong FTA network secures market access. Innovative agreements link trade with investment. Reforms are needed to align trade and industrial policies. India is also exploring new partnerships and domestic improvements to....

Dr. Pritam Banerjee (Head, CWS), Ms. Pallavi Arora, Mr. Debashish Lahiri, from Centre for WTO Studies had the privilege of presenting the findings of CWS Policy Brief No. 19 “Closing India’s Intellectual Property Monetization Gap” to the Principal Scientific Advisor to Government of India, Professor Ajay Kumar Sood. Dr. Parvinder Maini, Scientific Secretary also joined the meeting.

We are grateful to Shri B.N. Satpathy, PSA Fellow for involving CWS for a deliberation on how to develop appropriate strategies to better monetize innovation and technology in India and increase returns to Intellectual Property developed in India. Professor Sood, Dr. Maini and Shri Satpathy found CWS inputs interesting and directed us to work closely with associates in the Office of the PSA to further refine our recommendations in the paper.

A big shout out to Ojas Mehrotra, summer intern at CWS from IIFT, who was the co-author of the Policy Brief.

Institute for Studies in Industrial Development (ISID) and Centre for WTO Studies in partnership with India International Centre organised a Policy Round Table on India’s Manufacturing and Trade Prospects amid Trump Tariffs on the 19th September 2025.

It had very distinguished panel of speakers which included:

• Prof Nagesh Kumar, Director, ISID
• Mr Ajay Shankar, Former Industry Secretary
• Dr Anup Wadhawan, former Commerce Secretary
• Dr Pravakar Sahoo, Programme Director, NITI Aayog
• Mr Sumanta Chaudhuri, Principal Adviser, CII
• Dr Pritam Banerjee, Head CWS

An enriching discussion on various aspects of trade policy development and its implications for India took place. The session was followed by Q&A, during which several senior-level interpreters from industry and academia participated and contributed their valuable thoughts and ideas to the discourse.

It was a truly vibrant evening at the Prime Ministers’s Museum & Library, Teen Murti House, New Delhi, where the Centre for WTO Studies (CWS), CRIT, Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT), in collaboration with Dharmashastra National Law University (DNLU), Jabalpur, formally launched the book “WTO and Digital Trade”, published by Bloomsbury India.

The launch was graced by Hon’ble Shri Justice Ujjal Bhuyan, Judge, Supreme Court of India – Chief Guest
Justice Rajendra Menon-Guest of Honour & Keynote Speaker

We were also honoured by the presence of eminent dignitaries including Prof. (Dr.) Rakesh Mohan Joshi, Prof. Manoj Kumar Sinha, Prof. Dilip Ukey and Prof. V. K. Ahuja.

The highlight of the evening was the extensive panel discussion on the book, featuring a rich exchange of perspectives by:
Prof. Abhijit Das
Prof. (Dr.) Murali Kallummal
Prof. (Dr.) James J. Nedumpara
Shri Deepak Maheshwari
Dr. Gargi Chakrabarti

The discussion brought forward nuanced insights on the intersection of the multilateral trading system and the digital economy, underscoring the book’s timely contribution to trade and policy discourse.

Heartfelt thanks to all the contributors, editors, and organisers whose dedication made this book and the launch evening a grand success. Grateful to all who joined us in making the evening both celebratory and intellectually enriching.

On Day 9 of the Specialised Course on Select WTO Issues: Sustainability, Agriculture, Services, TRIPs, and RTAs specialised course from 17–26 September 2025 at NAFED House, New Delhi, Session 22-24 were Presentation by participants on RTA membership of their countries.

Session 25 on Agriculture Trade: TBT and SPS Differences was delivered by Shri Anil Jauhri (Ex-CEO, NABCB)

On Day 10, Session 26 on SPS Based MRLs and its impact on International Trade was delivered by Dr. Murali Kallummal, (Head Admin. CRIT & Professor, CWS)

In the Valedictory Session, the Special address was delivered by Shri Shishir Priyadarshi (President, Chintan Research Foundation) and Vote of Thanks was delivered by Dr. Murali Kallummal, (Head Admin. CRIT & Professor, CWS)

On Day 8 of the Specialised Course on Select WTO Issues: Sustainability, Agriculture, Services, TRIPs, and RTAs specialised course from 17–26 September 2025 at NAFED House, New Delhi, Session 18 on Overview of WTO TBT Agreement and Its Relevance for Agriculture was delivered by Mr. Debashish lahiri

Session 19 on E-Commerce- Moratorium, Developments in the FTAs was delivered by Ms. Monika Consultant, CWS

Session 20 on Geographical Indications: Indian Experiences and Development Dimensions was delivered by Ms. Pallavi Arora (Consultant, CWS)
Session 21 on Evolution of RTAs: WTO, WTO+, WTO- and its implications was delivered by Dr. Murali Kallummal (Head Admin. CRIT & Professor, CWS)

On Day 7 of the Specialised Course on Select WTO Issues: Sustainability, Agriculture, Services, TRIPs, and RTAs specialised course from 17–26 September 2025 at NAFED House, New Delhi, Session Session 14-15 on "WTO and Trade Facilitation Agreement: Special focus on Agri Exports" was delivered by Dr. Pritam Banerjee (Head, CWS).

Session 16 on "SPS Agreement and WTO: Increasing Usages across FTAs" was delivered by Ms. Monika (Consultant, CWS)

Session 17 on "MRL Usage in Agri Trade Developed versus Developing" was delivered by Dr. Alka Rao (Advisor (Science & Standards & Regulations) FSSAI)

On Day 6 of the Specialised Course on Select WTO Issues: Sustainability, Agriculture, Services, TRIPs, and RTAs specialised course from 17–26 September 2025 at NAFED House, New Delhi, Session 10 & 11 was delivered by Mr. Debashish Lahiri (Consultant, CWS) on "Trade-Related Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS): An Overview : Challenges in Agri Trade"

Session 12-13 on "Fisheries Subsidies Negotiations: Developments at the WTO" was delivered by Prof Mukesh Bhatnagar (Former Prof, CWS)

On Day 3 of the Specialised Course on Select WTO Issues: Sustainability, Agriculture, Services, TRIPs, and RTAs specialised course from 17–26 September 2025 at NAFED House, New Delhi, Session 6 was delivered by Dr. Murali Kallummal (Prof., CWS & Head-Admin, CRIT) on "Evolution of RTAs : WTO, WTO+, WTO- and its implications"

Ms. Simran Khosla (RF, CWS) took session 7 on "Global Databases on Market Access"

Dr. Geethanjali Nataraj (Principal, International Trade Policy, CII) took session 8 & 9 on "General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS)

The Centre for WTO Studies (CWS), Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT) in collaboration with the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) Programme, Ministry of External Affairs is proud to host Specialised Course on Select WTO Issues: Sustainability, Agriculture, Services, TRIPs, and RTAs specialised course from 17–26 September 2025 at NAFED House, New Delhi.

The programme was inaugurated with insightful addresses by Mr. Atul Kaushik (Independent Trade Expert), with the welcome address and vote of thanks delivered by Prof. Murali Kallummal (Professor, CWS & Head Admin., CRIT). The inaugural session set the tone for ten days of in-depth learning and discussion on contemporary WTO issues, bringing together experts and participants in an engaging platform for exchange.

Following the inauguration, Session 1 provided an overview of WTO agreements, where Prof. Murali Kallummal (Professor, CWS & Head Admin., CRIT) presented the coverage and scope of the multilateral trade system, offering participants a strong grounding in the institutional and legal architecture of the WTO.

In Sessions 2, 3 and 4, Dr. Talha Akbar Kamal (Consultant, CWS), Dr. Suvayan Neogi (Consultant, CWS), Ms. Paavni Mathur (Associate, CWS) and Ms. Alisha (Research Associate, CWS) introduced the WTO Agreement on Agriculture and unpacked the complexities of agricultural negotiations in the Doha Round. Their lectures highlighted key issues for developing countries, including domestic support, export subsidies, and market access, while also linking these debates to the broader sustainability agenda.