The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated that the international conference marking the 60th anniversary of the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) provided a fitting opportunity to assess India's role in shaping global trade law. In a social media post, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal confirmed that Secretary (Economic Relations) Sudhakar Dalela attended the valedictory session of the event, which was co-organized by the MEA, the Supreme Court of India, and UNCITRAL.
India's Contribution to International Trade Law
“It was a fitting occasion to reflect on India's contribution and collaboration with UNCITRAL in the development of international trade law,” the MEA noted in the post. The conference brought together legal experts, jurists, and international delegates to discuss the evolution of trade law and India's role within the UN framework.
The event underscored India's long-standing engagement with UNCITRAL, which has been instrumental in harmonizing trade rules across borders. India has actively participated in drafting model laws and conventions that facilitate smoother international commerce.
Jaishankar Advocates for Rules-Based Trade System
Earlier, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar delivered the inaugural address at the conference, emphasizing the need for a harmonized, rules-based legal architecture to protect global trade amid rising geopolitical tensions, supply chain disruptions, and technological changes. “Today's world is witnessing unprecedented geopolitical volatility, supply chain disruptions, rapid technological shifts,” Jaishankar told the audience. “These developments are affecting how goods, services, capital, and data move across borders, exposing businesses and governments to risks for which no country can be resilient in isolation.”
Jaishankar highlighted that legal development must adapt to changing global realities. He argued that standardized legal frameworks are essential for maintaining reliable cross-border flows during systemic uncertainty. “What nations are seeking is not just infrastructure and connectivity, but most of all legal predictability,” he asserted. “They are looking for harmonized, rules-based architecture that ensures trades, data flows, and contract enforcement are seamless across borders and continents.”
Future of Global Trade Law
The minister also pointed to the shifting global economic center of gravity, stressing that future legal frameworks must be more democratic, inclusive, and responsive to the needs of developing nations. UNCITRAL, established by the UN, promotes the harmonization and modernization of international trade law by developing legislative and non-legislative instruments that facilitate cross-border trade and investment.
The conference served as a platform to discuss these priorities, with India reaffirming its commitment to multilateral cooperation in trade law. The MEA's involvement reflects the country's strategic focus on shaping global economic norms.
