India Takes Center Stage at SCO, Pushes for Fair Trade and Digital Future
India Takes Center Stage at SCO, Pushes for Fair Trade and Digital Future
At the SCO meeting, India pushed for a stronger, fairer global trade system, championed its digital triumphs like UPI for the world, and warned against using export bans as economic weapons.
VLADIVOSTOK, RUSSIA – September 07, 2025 – In a powerful address at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Trade Ministers' Meeting in Vladivostok, India laid out a clear vision for a more resilient, inclusive, and fair trading system for the vast Eurasian region. Representing India, Shri Amitabh Kumar, Additional Secretary of Commerce, emphasized that the SCO, which represents a staggering 42% of the world's population, must use its collective strength to ensure shared prosperity for all member nations.
The key message from the Indian delegation was the urgent need to diversify exports, reduce dependencies, and build strong supply chains that can withstand global shocks. India stressed that with the bloc accounting for 17.2% of global trade, coordinated action is no longer a choice but a necessity.
A Fair Multilateral Trading System
India firmly reiterated its commitment to the World Trade Organization (WTO) as the core of global trade. Shri Kumar highlighted the need for a development-friendly agenda that includes:
- A permanent solution on Public Stockholding (PSH) for food security, a long-standing priority for India and other developing nations.
- Effective Special & Differential Treatment (S&DT) for developing countries.
- Restoring a fully functional and transparent two-tier dispute settlement system at the WTO.
The Indian representative also pointed out that persistent trade imbalances must be fixed through better market access and cooperation, not through protectionist measures.
A Word of Caution: Don't Weaponize Trade
In a significant remark, India issued a clear warning against the weaponization of trade. It cautioned that export controls "should not be weaponised or misused to create artificial scarcity, distort markets, or disrupt supply chains." This statement underscores the importance of calibrated and transparent policies to maintain trust between trading partners.
Showcasing India's Digital Genius: UPI & ONDC for the World
One of the standout moments was India showcasing its revolutionary Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) as a low-cost, replicable model for other SCO nations. The presentation highlighted:
- UPI (Unified Payments Interface): For real-time, seamless payments.
- India Stack: For secure identity and consent management.
- ONDC (Open Network for Digital Commerce): For democratizing digital commerce and helping small businesses get online.
India proposed that these tools could drastically reduce costs for MSMEs, give them access to wider markets, and enable instant settlements, suggesting pilot projects with interested partner countries.
Spotlight on Creative Economy: AVGC and WAVES
Moving beyond traditional trade, India also put a spotlight on its booming creative sector. It promoted the AVGC (Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, and Comics) sector as a major engine for jobs and exports.
India reminded the audience of the hugely successful World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES 2025), which it hosted earlier this year. Initiatives like ‘Waves Bazaar’ for global collaborations and ‘Create in India Challenge’ for talent development were presented as avenues for regional cooperation. With 17 co-production agreements already signed, India is firmly positioning itself as a global film production hub.
Looking Ahead
India thanked the Russian presidency for its leadership and reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with the next chair, Tajikistan, to ensure the SCO region continues on a path of sustainable and inclusive economic growth.
India’s participation at the SCO meeting wasn’t just about diplomacy; it was about asserting its role as a thought leader that offers practical, digital-first solutions and stands for equity and fairness in the global world order.
(source-pib)
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