The Department of Commerce under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry convened a high level stakeholder consultation on March 2, 2026 to assess the evolving geopolitical situation and its potential impact on India’s export import cargo flows and overall export ecosystem.
The meeting was chaired by Suchindra Misra, Special Secretary, Department of Commerce, and Lav Agarwal, Director General of Foreign Trade. It brought together representatives from key stakeholder ministries and agencies, including logistics operators, shipping lines and freight forwarders, the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs, the Department of Financial Services, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, the Ministry of Ports Shipping and Waterways, the Reserve Bank of India, and members of the export promotion ecosystem.
Participants presented assessments of the changing operational environment, highlighting adjustments in shipping routes, transit times and vessel schedules. Issues such as container and equipment availability, freight and insurance cost trends, and implications for time sensitive export segments were discussed in detail.
The deliberations focused on maintaining predictability in cargo movement, minimising avoidable delays and ensuring seamless documentation and payment processes for exporters and importers. Special attention was given to protecting the interests of exporters, particularly micro small and medium enterprises, and ensuring that essential imports required for domestic production and consumption remain unaffected.
The Department reiterated that continuity of export import logistics remains a priority for the Government. A coordinated and facilitative approach will be adopted to strengthen supply chain resilience and mitigate disruptions to trade flows.
Stakeholders agreed to maintain close and real time coordination to monitor developments related to shipping routes, vessel capacity, equipment availability and surcharges. Mechanisms to support time sensitive exports such as perishables, pharmaceuticals and high value manufactured goods were also discussed.
The meeting emphasised the need to strengthen facilitation at ports and inland container depots and to ensure smooth cargo evacuation in order to prevent congestion and extended dwell times.
The Government reiterated its readiness to facilitate trade operations through procedural flexibility in export related authorisations in cases of genuine disruption, close coordination with customs authorities to ensure smooth clearance, engagement with financial and insurance institutions to safeguard exporter interests, and continued inter ministerial coordination.
The Department affirmed that it will remain in constant engagement with stakeholders and relevant ministries to ensure efficient movement of trade and timely resolution of emerging issues.
Highlighting India’s track record in navigating global disruptions, the Department noted that the country continues to strengthen supply chain resilience and remains committed to its role as a stable and reliable trading partner.
