DoC Reviews EXIM Trade Risks with Gulf War - Only Officials Invited, No Trade Interests in Import-Export

High-Level Stakeholder Consultation Convened

· The Department of Commerce, under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, held a stakeholder consultation to assess the emerging geo-political situation and its impact on India’s EXIM cargo flows.

· The meeting was chaired by Special Secretary Suchindra Misra and Lav Agarwal, Director General of Directorate General of Foreign Trade.

Broad-Based Participation

· Attended by representatives from:

o Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs

o Department of Financial Services

o Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas

o Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways

o Reserve Bank of India

o Logistics operators, shipping lines, freight forwarders, and export promotion bodies.

Key Operational Concerns Reviewed

Stakeholders assessed:

· Routing and transit-time changes

· Vessel scheduling adjustments

· Container and equipment availability

· Freight and insurance cost trends

· Impact on time-sensitive exports

Government’s Priority: Continuity & Predictability

· Ensuring uninterrupted EXIM logistics flows.

· Maintaining predictability in cargo movement.

· Minimizing avoidable delays and port congestion.

· Safeguarding essential imports for domestic production and consumption.

· Protecting exporter interests, particularly MSMEs.

Agreed Action Points

· Real-time coordination on routes, capacity, surcharges, and equipment availability.

· Strengthened facilitation for perishables, pharmaceuticals, and high-value exports.

· Improved port/ICD operations to avoid extended dwell times.

Government Support Measures

The Government reiterated readiness to provide:

· Procedural flexibility in export authorisations during genuine disruptions.

· Coordinated Customs facilitation for smooth clearance.

· Engagement with financial and insurance institutions to protect exporters.

· Continued inter-ministerial coordination.

India’s Trade Resilience

· India has successfully navigated multiple global disruptions in recent years.

· The Government reaffirmed its commitment to supply chain resilience.

· India remains positioned as a stable and reliable global trading partner.

[ABS News Service/02.03.2026]

The Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, held a stakeholder consultation with all stakeholder ministries, key logistics and trade facilitation partners to review the emerging geo-political situation and its potential impact on India’s export-import (EXIM) cargo flows, including the export ecosystem.

The meeting was chaired by Special Secretary, Department of Commerce, Suchindra Misra and Lav Agarwal, Director General of Foreign Trade (DGFT). The meeting was attended by representatives from logistics operators and shipping lines/forwarders, Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs, Department of Financial Services, Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, the Reserve Bank of India, export promotion ecosystem and other concerned agencies.

Stakeholders presented an assessment of the evolving operational environment, including routing and transit-time changes, vessel scheduling adjustments, container/equipment availability, freight and insurance cost trends, and implications for time-sensitive exports. The discussions covered the need to maintain predictability in cargo movement, minimise avoidable delays, and ensure seamless documentation and payment processes for exporters and importers.

The Department reiterated the Government of India’s priority of ensuring continuity of EXIM logistics and mitigating any disruptions to India’s trade flows. It was emphasised that the approach will remain facilitative and coordinated, with a focus on maintaining supply chain resilience, protecting the interests of exporters—particularly MSMEs—with a view that essential imports required for domestic production and consumption are not adversely affected.

During the meeting it was agreed amongst the stakeholders to maintain close, real-time coordination for monitoring route and capacity developments, surcharges, and equipment availability. Mechanisms for facilitation of time-sensitive export segments such as perishables, pharmaceuticals, and high-value manufactured exports were also discussed. The meeting emphasised strengthening facilitation at ports/ICDs and ensuring smooth cargo evacuation to avoid congestion and extended dwell times.

The Government reiterated its readiness to facilitate trade operations, including:

· Procedural flexibility in export-related authorisations in cases of genuine disruption;

· Coordination with Customs authorities to ensure smooth clearance;

· Engagement with financial and insurance institutions to support exporter interests;

· Continued inter-ministerial coordination.

The Department reaffirmed that it will continue to engage closely with all stakeholders and relevant Ministries/Departments to ensure that India’s trade continues to move efficiently and that any emerging issues are addressed in a timely manner.

India’s Trade Resilience

India has successfully navigated multiple global disruptions in recent years and continues to strengthen supply chain resilience. The Government remains committed to ensuring that India remains a stable and reliable trading partner.