In his popular column, “BJP is winning the elections but losing the economy” (Indian Express, May 21), economist Surjit S Bhalla has put forth several claims regarding India’s existing bilateral investment treaty framework (specifically the Model BIT of 2015), which are based on his incorrect understanding of India’s BIT regime. Considering that his columns are widely read and that he held the position of executive director for India at the International Monetary Fund from 2019 to 2022, in addition…
By Biswajit Dhar | Briefing Paper # 71 | April 6, 2026
On 27th January this year, India and the EU concluded their free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations, the most protracted trade negotiations between two economies. It was at the 2005 EU-India Summit that the EU and India expressed “serious political commitment to increase bilateral trade and economic cooperation and to tackle barriers to trade and investment” and both sides agreed to commence negotiations for such an agreement in 2006. Formal negotiations for the FTA began in 2007.
By Shalini Bhutani | Commentary | December 27, 2025
As 2025 draws to a close, it is plain to see that the year has been marked by US President Trump singularly undertaking a round of bilateral trade talks with several countries across the world. It is important to consider how his modus operandi tramples on democratic processes and principles in the United States. It can be argued that unilateral decision-making by the USA has been ongoing before and even after multilateral fora such as the World Trade Organization (WTO)…
By Kavaljit Singh | Briefing Paper # 70 | October 27, 2025
The Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4) was held in Sevilla (Spain), from June 30 to July 3, 2025, amidst a challenging global economic and geopolitical environment. The FfD4 took place against the backdrop of rising global debt levels, backsliding of developmental goals, escalating geopolitical tensions, weakening of multilateralism and international solidarity, and severe climate shocks.
The FfD4 was the fourth in a series of international conferences convened by the United Nations. Its primary objectives were to close…
By Shalini Bhutani | Guest Blog | September 26, 2025
The fact that the United States has an interest in agricultural trade is well known. However, the extent to which the state machinery is invested in promoting its brand of agriculture across the world is explained by the Administration’s support of the American seed and agribusiness industry. In the words of the Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Luke J. Lindberg, “President Trump is putting American agriculture first by negotiating fair, reciprocal deals that benefit U.S….
