PMO's Clear Directive to Indian Missions: Every Nation is Crucial for Trade
In the face of escalating global tariff tensions, the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) and the commerce department have delivered an unequivocal message to Indian commercial missions worldwide: "Har ek country zaroori hota hai" (Every country matters). This strategic emphasis comes as India intensifies efforts to diversify its export portfolio and reduce dependency on traditional markets.
High-Level Meetings and Strategic Priorities
Senior PMO officials have conducted at least five comprehensive meetings with representatives from Indian missions, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), and various trade bodies. These discussions have underscored the urgent need to enhance trade engagement across both goods and services sectors. According to individuals familiar with the proceedings, embassies have been instructed to treat this initiative as a top priority.
While the commerce department had previously focused on 20 identified countries and six product categories following recent US tariff implementations, the government is now advocating for a broader approach. The new strategy emphasizes diversifying not only export destinations but also import sources and product categories to build resilience in global trade networks.
Focus on Smaller Markets and Supply Chain Integration
An official involved in the discussions revealed, "Even countries with $100-200 million exports are being prioritised as an increase in a group of such countries can add significant weight to the overall export kitty." This approach recognizes that cumulative gains from multiple smaller markets can substantially boost India's total export figures.
Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, Shaktikanta Das, has personally led meetings covering representatives from over 100 countries, with senior officials from both the commerce department and MEA in attendance. These high-level consultations followed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's discussions with a select group of exporters, highlighting the government's commitment to this strategic shift.
Another official elaborated on the philosophy behind this approach: "It is better to diversify. Wherever there is a small or a big opportunity, we should seek to integrate into the supply chain. Every small market today can be a big opportunity tomorrow. We should not look at it from the current size and we should leverage our presence there."
Structured Implementation and Monthly Reviews
The government has issued detailed instructions outlining specific strategies for each commercial mission to implement. Each territorial division within the commerce department, along with corresponding MEA officials responsible for particular regions, has been directed to conduct monthly reviews in collaboration with trade bodies. This structured monitoring mechanism aims to ensure consistent progress and timely course corrections.
Key Focus Areas for Commercial Missions
Commercial missions have been tasked with pursuing several strategic areas for promotional activities, including:
- E-commerce expansion to tap into digital trade opportunities
- Sustainability-oriented exports to align with global environmental priorities
- Promotion of indigenous and GI-tagged goods to highlight India's unique products
- Global branding initiatives to enhance India's international market presence
Emphasis on Brand India and Market Intelligence
A significant component of the new directive involves boosting 'Brand India' initiatives worldwide. Commercial missions have been assigned key responsibilities in trade intelligence gathering and market research. This strategic information collection will help identify emerging opportunities and potential challenges in various markets.
Additionally, missions must maintain vigilant monitoring of evolving regulatory frameworks in their respective countries. This includes tracking non-tariff barriers that could impact Indian exports, with instructions to flag such issues early to enable prompt government response. This proactive approach aims to prevent trade disruptions and maintain smooth market access for Indian products and services.
The comprehensive strategy reflects India's adaptive response to changing global trade dynamics, positioning the country to leverage diverse opportunities across markets of all sizes while building long-term trade resilience.
