WTO chief Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala urged India to lead trade reforms, leverage digital, green, and reconfigured supply chains, and strengthen the rules-based global trading system
VISAKHAPATNAM
The head of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has urged India to take the lead in global trade reforms, warning that the world must protect a rules-based trading system instead of shifting toward one driven by power. Speaking at the opening of the 30th CII Partnership Summit 2025, she said the global trade landscape is changing fast, and India is well placed to benefit from these shifts.
She stressed that India should guide WTO reforms to correct past mistakes and support emerging opportunities. Reconfigured supply chains, fast-growing green trade, and booming digitally delivered services—now worth nearly USD 5 trillion—present major chances for India, she said. With digital trade expanding at 6 to 8 per cent a year, she noted that India is already performing strongly and can do even better.
Okonjo-Iweala said South-South trade is rising again, offering India more room to grow. She added that India’s active role in current WTO discussions can help build a more flexible system that supports smaller developing nations. Her message was clear: India should work with the global community to strengthen a trading system that has served the world well and can deliver even more.
Praising India’s economic progress, she called it the fastest-growing major economy, with growth above 6 per cent in 2024-25. She credited strong domestic demand, steady investment, and stable economic conditions for this momentum and congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the people.
She stressed that global growth depends on global trade and warned of the biggest trade disruptions seen in eight decades. While acknowledging developing countries’ concerns—such as public stockholding and unmet promises—she said the world must focus on constructive reforms to build resilience and move forward.