New Delhi: The Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT), through its Centre for International Negotiations (CIN), inaugurated the International Trade Negotiations Program aimed at enhancing the negotiation capabilities of officials from the Department of Commerce (DOC). The program is designed to strengthen skills requisite for effective bilateral and multilateral trade negotiations, thus bolstering India’s engagement on the global trade stage.
Inauguration and Key Addresses
Commerce Secretary Shri Sunil Barthwal attended as Chief Guest, emphasizing the criticality of institutional capacity building for successful trade negotiations. He acknowledged IIFT’s continued leadership in this domain and wished participants success in their unique learning journey.
Prof. Rakesh Mohan Joshi, Vice Chancellor of IIFT, highlighted the Institute’s recent achievements including top rankings on LinkedIn and NIRF, high placement packages, and the establishment of new campuses in Kakinada, GIFT City, and soon in Dubai. He also noted IIFT’s efforts in developing 30 case studies on bilateral trade and FTAs, with landmark agreements such as the India–UK FTA and CETA exemplifying India’s ability to navigate complex trade scenarios effectively.
Program Details
Prof. Rohit Mehtani, Head of CIN and Program Director, remarked that the initiative aligns with the vision of the Commerce Secretary, reflecting IIFT’s commitment to equip government officials with practical insights and tools for negotiations in diverse forums. The curriculum covers nuances of bilateral and multilateral negotiations, intended to prepare officials for the evolving trade landscape.
Strategic Importance
Given India’s expanding free trade agreement negotiations with countries including the US, Oman, New Zealand, Chile, Peru, and the EU, the program addresses the growing demand for specialized negotiation expertise among government officials across departments ensuring a cohesive trade strategy.
Conclusion
IIFT’s International Trade Negotiations Program signifies a crucial step in institutional capacity building, enhancing India’s ability to secure favorable trade outcomes, foster economic growth, and strengthen global partnerships through skilled negotiation practices.
For more real-time updates, visit Channel 6 Network.
Source: PIB
